Today's Read Contributor On September 10, 2022, New York City hosted the much-anticipated PEN World Voices Festival, a global celebration of literature that brought together a diverse group of authors, thinkers, and artists to share stories and perspectives from around the world. The festival, organized by PEN America, a leading literary and human rights organization, ran from September 9 to 11 and featured numerous events, including panel discussions, live readings, and book signings.
Carla Paredes, Executive Director of the festival, opened the event by emphasizing the importance of literature in fostering global understanding and empathy. “We live in a time where the written word is more important than ever. It is through stories that we are able to bridge divides and understand the experiences of others,” Paredes remarked.
A highlight of the festival was the keynote address by Chigozie Obioma, a celebrated Nigerian author known for his novels The Fishermen and An Orchestra of Minorities. Obioma spoke about the power of storytelling in the context of his home country, Nigeria, and the importance of writing that reflects diverse cultural narratives. “We must understand that storytelling isn’t just about what happens in the pages of a book; it’s about what resonates in the heart of the reader,” Obioma said during his address.
Throughout the weekend, the festival featured discussions on topics such as global migration, the role of literature in social change, and the impact of censorship. One particularly well-received panel titled “Writing the Migrant Experience” brought together authors from various parts of the world to discuss the challenges of writing about displacement and identity. Panelists included authors Khaled Hosseini and Patricia Engel, who spoke about how literature can serve as a powerful tool for raising awareness about the experiences of migrants and refugees.
In addition to these thought-provoking panels, the festival also hosted various cultural performances, including readings by up-and-coming authors from underrepresented communities. PEN America highlighted their commitment to supporting these voices through programs like PEN’s Prison Writing Program, which provides writers in prison with the opportunity to have their work published and celebrated.
The PEN World Voices Festival continues to serve as a platform for fostering international dialogue through literature. As the event concluded, attendees were left inspired by the multitude of stories shared, with many expressing their hope for future festivals that would further amplify global voices and promote cultural exchange.
