PEN Belarus
Member organization
We create space for dialogue, foster the development of Belarusian literary process and Belarusian culture in general, fight against any manifestations of hatred and stand up for the universal ideals of peace and equality. We consistently defend freedom of expression and campaign to draw attention of Belarusian and international community to the violations of writers’ rights.
PEN International is a worldwide association of writers, founded in London in 1921 by Catherine Amy Dawson Scott and John Galsworthy to promote intellectual cooperation among writers and to fight for their rights. In 2010 PEN International numbered more than 140 free-standing representative offices in different countries.
Belarusian PEN Centre was founded in 1989 by the Committee which included 20 Belarusian writers. It was admitted to PEN International in May 1990 at the 55 Congress on Madeira Island. The Justice Ministry of the Republic of Belarus registered Belarusian PEN Centre in November 16th 1990 on the grounds of the Statute and the Resolution of the Council of Ministers №274 dd. November 1st 1990 and reregistered in October 31st 1999. As a member of PEN International Belarusian PEN Centre has a status A in the UNESCO and consultative status in the UN.
In 1994, Belarusian PEN Centre founded two annual literary awards which are given to prominent writers to reward their work and to celebrate their achievements. These are Ales Adamovich Award and Frantsishak Bahushevich Award. In 2012, Belarusian PEN Centre became one of the founders of the Jerzy Giedroyc Literary Award. These awards still exist and, at the same time, new projects and awards are created.
From 1996 Belarusian PEN Centre is a member of the Writers in Prison Committee established in 1960 by the Assembly of Delegates of PEN International.
Our mission is to develop Belarusian culture, defend freedom of expression and the rights of writers, journalists and other literary women and men.
We create space for dialogue, foster the development of Belarusian literary process and Belarusian culture in general, fight against any manifestations of hatred and stand up for the universal ideals of peace and equality. We consistently defend freedom of expression and campaign to draw attention of Belarusian and international community to the violations of writers’ rights.
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