PEN World (International PEN) is a worldwide association of writers, founded in 1921 “to promote friendship and intellectual cooperation among writers everywhere; to emphasize the role of literature in the development of mutual understanding and world culture; to fight for freedom of expression; and to act as a powerful voice on behalf of writers harassed, imprisoned and sometimes killed for their views.”
This year PEN American Center celebrates its 90th anniversary with the PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature. Every year, PEN brings writers from around the world together for conversations about art, culture, politics, and all the intersecting points between.
The festival begins Monday, April 30th, you can view the full schedule here. You can also follow them on Twitter and Facebook.
Please note that while many of the events are free, some are ticketed. Please check the individual pages for details. Here are our picks.
Gabrielle suggests:
Reviewing Translations with Arne Bellstorf, Ruth Franklin, Julya Rabinowich, and Lorin Stein; moderated by Eric Banks and Susan Bernofsky
When: Thursday, May 3
Where: The School of Writing at The New School, Wollman Hall, 65 W. 11th St., New York City
What time: 6–7:30 p.m.
When a translated work is under review, what exactly is being critiqued? Is it the work itself or the quality of its translation? How does reviewing a translation differ from reviewing a work in its original language? Should the critic be bilingual? An expert in the literature and history of a foreign culture? Join an expert panel of international authors, critics, and translators as they explore the nexus of translation and criticism.
Dialogue Series: Jennifer Egan on How to Create Your Own Rules with Michael Kimmelman
When: Friday, May 4
Where: The School of Writing at The New School, Tishman Auditorium, 66 West 12th St.
What Time: 6–7:30 p.m.
What shapes a novel beyond its beginning, middle, and end? Does structure trigger narrative? Author of 2011’s genre-defying, A Visit From The Goon Squad, Jennifer Egan will explore the role of structure in writing and reading, sharing her perspective on the “rules” and her process in bending them.
Standard Talks: Alex Gilvarry, Nadia Kalman, Justin Torres, and others; Instigated by Randy Cohen; hosted by Sunny Bates
When: Friday, May 4
Where: The Standard, East Village, 25 Cooper Square
What Time: 6:30–9:30 p.m.
If I didn’t already have plans to go to the Jennifer Egan talk, I would go to this.
In Exquisite Corpse, a special writing game, a writing prompt is given and each player-participant becomes a collaborator in the writing assignment. At the 2012 Festival, acclaimed writers, including Nadia Kahlman and Justin Torres, will join forces with notable New Yorkers to launch the game. Audience participation may ensue.
Best European Fiction with Patrick Boltshauser, Róbert Gál, and Noëlle Revaz; moderated by Aleksandar Hemon
When: Saturday, May 5
Where: The School of Writing at The New School, Room 510, 66 West 12th St.
What time: 1–2:30 p.m.
Three authors—Noëlle Revaz (Switzerland), Patrick Boltshauser (Liechtenstein), and Róbert Gál (Slovakia)—read from their work, discussing their ideas about writing, and sharing their perspectives on what’s happening in literature in their parts of the world.
David thinks you should check out:
A Clockwork Orange Operetta (U.S. Premiere)
When: Monday, April 30
Where: The Standard, New York, 848 Washington St., New York City
What time: 10 p.m.
This operetta based on recently discovered lyrics by Anthony Burgess (and based on the seminal novel of the same name) may be the highlight of the festival for me.
TimesTalks: Martin Amis, Margaret Atwood, and E.L. Doctorow
When: Wednesday, May 2
Where: The Times Center, 242 W. 41st St., New York City
What time: 6:30–8:30 p.m.
A.O. Scott interviews the three legendary fiction writers.
Marjane Satrapi: Persepolis and Poulet aux Prunes (Chicken with Plums)
When: Thursday, May 3
Where: The Museum of Modern Art, 11 W. 53rd St., New York City
What time: 4:30–6:05 p.m. (Persepolis) and 8–10:15 p.m. (Poule aux Prunes)
Screening of Marjane Satrapi’s latest film, Poulet aux Prunes (Chicken with Plums).
Satrapi will discuss her strategies for storytelling in film with graphic artist Françoise Mouly and MoMA’s Sally Berger at the 8 o’clock sitting.
Dialogue Series: Margaret Atwood on the Writers’ Mind and the Digital Otherworld
When: Thursday, May 3
Where: The School of Writing at The New School, Tishman Auditorium, 66 West 12th St., New York City
What time: 6–7:30 p.m.
We both think you should know about this:
Continuing PEN’s American Classics series, Pulitzer Prize winner Jennifer Egan curates her top ten list of literary works. Swing by McNally Jackson for the complete list.