Young Writers Committee
@youngwriterspen.bsky.social
A worldwide network of young writers united by PEN International's 100-year history defending freedom of expression, promoting literature and cross border solidarity. Amplifying young voices ignored or marginalised with a focus on shared future challenges
📍 Read the full piece at tomorrowclub.world
✍️ Words that should never have to be written — but must be.
#VoicesFromGaza #HassanAbuQamar #TheTomorrowClub #PENInternational #FreedomToWrite #WritingUnderOccupation #GazaUnderSiege #EmptyChair #YouthVoices #freepalesti̇ne
✍️ Words that should never have to be written — but must be.
#VoicesFromGaza #HassanAbuQamar #TheTomorrowClub #PENInternational #FreedomToWrite #WritingUnderOccupation #GazaUnderSiege #EmptyChair #YouthVoices #freepalesti̇ne
June 20, 2025 at 9:47 AM
📍 Read the full piece at tomorrowclub.world
✍️ Words that should never have to be written — but must be.
#VoicesFromGaza #HassanAbuQamar #TheTomorrowClub #PENInternational #FreedomToWrite #WritingUnderOccupation #GazaUnderSiege #EmptyChair #YouthVoices #freepalesti̇ne
✍️ Words that should never have to be written — but must be.
#VoicesFromGaza #HassanAbuQamar #TheTomorrowClub #PENInternational #FreedomToWrite #WritingUnderOccupation #GazaUnderSiege #EmptyChair #YouthVoices #freepalesti̇ne
This is not a conflict. This is the deliberate annihilation of a people — their homes, their histories, their hopes.
June 20, 2025 at 9:47 AM
This is not a conflict. This is the deliberate annihilation of a people — their homes, their histories, their hopes.
“Jail isn’t always a room. Sometimes, it’s an entire city.”
In his piece “Beyond This Wall of Sea: Dreams and Oppurtunities Await”, young journalist Hassan Abo Qamar writes from Gaza — a place where dreams are trapped behind barbed wire, and even the sea feels like a wall.
In his piece “Beyond This Wall of Sea: Dreams and Oppurtunities Await”, young journalist Hassan Abo Qamar writes from Gaza — a place where dreams are trapped behind barbed wire, and even the sea feels like a wall.
June 20, 2025 at 9:47 AM
“Jail isn’t always a room. Sometimes, it’s an entire city.”
In his piece “Beyond This Wall of Sea: Dreams and Oppurtunities Await”, young journalist Hassan Abo Qamar writes from Gaza — a place where dreams are trapped behind barbed wire, and even the sea feels like a wall.
In his piece “Beyond This Wall of Sea: Dreams and Oppurtunities Await”, young journalist Hassan Abo Qamar writes from Gaza — a place where dreams are trapped behind barbed wire, and even the sea feels like a wall.
📍Read the full piece on tomorrowclub.world
#PENInternational #TheTomorrowClub #WamoNunyali #SpotlightAfrica #YouthVoices #FreedomToWrite #AfricanLiterature #HappyThirsts #WritingAsResistance
#PENInternational #TheTomorrowClub #WamoNunyali #SpotlightAfrica #YouthVoices #FreedomToWrite #AfricanLiterature #HappyThirsts #WritingAsResistance
June 19, 2025 at 10:02 AM
“Freedom still tastes like a distant promise.”
In Of Freedom, Culture, and Happy Thirsts, Togolese writer Wamo Nunyali explores how the illusion of post-independence freedom still weighs on Africa’s youth — and how culture, silence, and survival shape the way they resist.
In Of Freedom, Culture, and Happy Thirsts, Togolese writer Wamo Nunyali explores how the illusion of post-independence freedom still weighs on Africa’s youth — and how culture, silence, and survival shape the way they resist.
June 19, 2025 at 10:02 AM
“Freedom still tastes like a distant promise.”
In Of Freedom, Culture, and Happy Thirsts, Togolese writer Wamo Nunyali explores how the illusion of post-independence freedom still weighs on Africa’s youth — and how culture, silence, and survival shape the way they resist.
In Of Freedom, Culture, and Happy Thirsts, Togolese writer Wamo Nunyali explores how the illusion of post-independence freedom still weighs on Africa’s youth — and how culture, silence, and survival shape the way they resist.
Nadia, Translation and International Manager at English PEN (@englishpen_)
and member of the Young Writers Committee (@pen_youth) steering group, shares how initiatives for under 35s are helping young people speak freely and share their voices amid growing threats to freedom of expression.
and member of the Young Writers Committee (@pen_youth) steering group, shares how initiatives for under 35s are helping young people speak freely and share their voices amid growing threats to freedom of expression.
June 17, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Nadia, Translation and International Manager at English PEN (@englishpen_)
and member of the Young Writers Committee (@pen_youth) steering group, shares how initiatives for under 35s are helping young people speak freely and share their voices amid growing threats to freedom of expression.
and member of the Young Writers Committee (@pen_youth) steering group, shares how initiatives for under 35s are helping young people speak freely and share their voices amid growing threats to freedom of expression.
From protest to poetry, this piece is a call to witness, and a reminder:
We rise not because we love to fight, but because we love to live.
📝 Read the full text at tomorrowclub.world
We rise not because we love to fight, but because we love to live.
📝 Read the full text at tomorrowclub.world
June 16, 2025 at 11:54 AM
From protest to poetry, this piece is a call to witness, and a reminder:
We rise not because we love to fight, but because we love to live.
📝 Read the full text at tomorrowclub.world
We rise not because we love to fight, but because we love to live.
📝 Read the full text at tomorrowclub.world
“Freedom is not given. It is a struggle.”
In Freedom, Youth, and Africa, Malawian poet and activist Wezi Glory Msukwa-Panje reflects on the weight, betrayal, and persistence of freedom across African history — and the fire still carried by its youth today.
In Freedom, Youth, and Africa, Malawian poet and activist Wezi Glory Msukwa-Panje reflects on the weight, betrayal, and persistence of freedom across African history — and the fire still carried by its youth today.
June 16, 2025 at 11:54 AM
“Freedom is not given. It is a struggle.”
In Freedom, Youth, and Africa, Malawian poet and activist Wezi Glory Msukwa-Panje reflects on the weight, betrayal, and persistence of freedom across African history — and the fire still carried by its youth today.
In Freedom, Youth, and Africa, Malawian poet and activist Wezi Glory Msukwa-Panje reflects on the weight, betrayal, and persistence of freedom across African history — and the fire still carried by its youth today.
On May 13th, PEN America ( @penamerica.bsky.social ) announced that Galal El-Behairy will be awarded the 2025 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award at its annual literary gala in New York City on May 15. The award recognizes his courageous commitment to truth, art, and human rights.
June 11, 2025 at 2:53 PM
On May 13th, PEN America ( @penamerica.bsky.social ) announced that Galal El-Behairy will be awarded the 2025 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award at its annual literary gala in New York City on May 15. The award recognizes his courageous commitment to truth, art, and human rights.
After serving his sentence, he was re-detained under new charges in a practice known as “rotation”, used to prolong political imprisonment without trial. PEN International (@peninternational.bsky.social) is closely monitoring the case for years and calling for his immediate release.
June 11, 2025 at 2:53 PM
After serving his sentence, he was re-detained under new charges in a practice known as “rotation”, used to prolong political imprisonment without trial. PEN International (@peninternational.bsky.social) is closely monitoring the case for years and calling for his immediate release.
Egyptian poet, lyricist, and pro-democracy activist Galal El-Behairy has been unjustly imprisoned since 2018. Initially detained for the lyrics of the protest song “Balaha”, he was later sentenced to three years in prison for his poetry collection The Finest Women on Earth.
June 11, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Egyptian poet, lyricist, and pro-democracy activist Galal El-Behairy has been unjustly imprisoned since 2018. Initially detained for the lyrics of the protest song “Balaha”, he was later sentenced to three years in prison for his poetry collection The Finest Women on Earth.
🎧 Her episode of our podcast series Brave Young Voices of Today and Tomorrow is available now on Spotify—tune in to hear her story and words in her own voice.
#GirlsLikeUs #WonganiNyasulu #PENInternational #YoungVoicesFromAfrica #FreedomToWrite #AfricanPoetry #GenderJustice
#GirlsLikeUs #WonganiNyasulu #PENInternational #YoungVoicesFromAfrica #FreedomToWrite #AfricanPoetry #GenderJustice
June 10, 2025 at 12:19 PM
🎧 Her episode of our podcast series Brave Young Voices of Today and Tomorrow is available now on Spotify—tune in to hear her story and words in her own voice.
#GirlsLikeUs #WonganiNyasulu #PENInternational #YoungVoicesFromAfrica #FreedomToWrite #AfricanPoetry #GenderJustice
#GirlsLikeUs #WonganiNyasulu #PENInternational #YoungVoicesFromAfrica #FreedomToWrite #AfricanPoetry #GenderJustice
Through bold and lyrical storytelling, Wongani speaks to the resilience of young Malawian girls who dare to write, dream, and live beyond imposed expectations.
June 10, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Through bold and lyrical storytelling, Wongani speaks to the resilience of young Malawian girls who dare to write, dream, and live beyond imposed expectations.
In her powerful poem Girls Like Us, Malawian writer and gender activist @wongie_nyasulu explores what it means to grow up as a girl navigating culture, silence, and survival—with a pen in hand.
June 10, 2025 at 12:19 PM
In her powerful poem Girls Like Us, Malawian writer and gender activist @wongie_nyasulu explores what it means to grow up as a girl navigating culture, silence, and survival—with a pen in hand.
June 9, 2025 at 11:48 AM
📣 Help us amplify his voice.
📝 Tell his story.
✊ Demand justice.
📝 Tell his story.
✊ Demand justice.
June 9, 2025 at 11:48 AM
📣 Help us amplify his voice.
📝 Tell his story.
✊ Demand justice.
📝 Tell his story.
✊ Demand justice.
Bahati’s poetry spoke truth to power. PEN International believes he was targeted for his words.
In solidarity, we honour Bahati as an Empty Chair — a symbol of writers silenced by disappearance, imprisonment, or violence.
In solidarity, we honour Bahati as an Empty Chair — a symbol of writers silenced by disappearance, imprisonment, or violence.
June 9, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Bahati’s poetry spoke truth to power. PEN International believes he was targeted for his words.
In solidarity, we honour Bahati as an Empty Chair — a symbol of writers silenced by disappearance, imprisonment, or violence.
In solidarity, we honour Bahati as an Empty Chair — a symbol of writers silenced by disappearance, imprisonment, or violence.
Since 7 February 2021, Rwandan poet Innocent Bahati has been missing. He left for a dinner in Nyanza and never returned. No charges. No trial. No answers.
June 9, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Since 7 February 2021, Rwandan poet Innocent Bahati has been missing. He left for a dinner in Nyanza and never returned. No charges. No trial. No answers.
Read the full text at tomorrowclub.world
#TheTomorrowClub #PENInternational #HaitiVoices #CreativeResistance #StillStanding #youngvoicesfromafrica
#TheTomorrowClub #PENInternational #HaitiVoices #CreativeResistance #StillStanding #youngvoicesfromafrica
June 6, 2025 at 11:12 AM
In his powerful essay Still Standing, Haitian poet and journalist Lesly Succès captures the courage, discipline, and cultural fire that keeps communities alive—even when survival itself feels like rebellion.
June 6, 2025 at 11:12 AM
In his powerful essay Still Standing, Haitian poet and journalist Lesly Succès captures the courage, discipline, and cultural fire that keeps communities alive—even when survival itself feels like rebellion.
In the face of state collapse, gang rule, and silence from those in power, young people of Haiti continue to rise. Through culture, resistance, and creativity, they refuse to be erased.
June 6, 2025 at 11:12 AM
In the face of state collapse, gang rule, and silence from those in power, young people of Haiti continue to rise. Through culture, resistance, and creativity, they refuse to be erased.
We are reeds – we may bend, but we will not break.” 🇭🇹🔥
June 6, 2025 at 11:12 AM
We are reeds – we may bend, but we will not break.” 🇭🇹🔥
It is to look authoritarianism in the eye — whether it wears a soldier’s boots or a bureaucrat’s smile — and say, we are not done speaking yet."
June 5, 2025 at 3:19 PM
It is to look authoritarianism in the eye — whether it wears a soldier’s boots or a bureaucrat’s smile — and say, we are not done speaking yet."
"To be young and African today is to inherit a freedom both promised and postponed. It is to dance with the memory of liberation, while side-stepping its betrayal.
June 5, 2025 at 3:19 PM
"To be young and African today is to inherit a freedom both promised and postponed. It is to dance with the memory of liberation, while side-stepping its betrayal.