ARKIV / ARCHIVE
Dr Siri Hustvedt gives the opening keynote speech of the 88th PEN International Congress, at Uppsala University 27 September 2022. Photo: Staffan Claesson
THE 88th International PEN Congress
27 September – 1 October 2022, Uppsala, Sweden
Welcome to the archival page of the 88th International PEN Congress. Below you will find links to streamed programs, speeches held during congress, as well as other documentation. The page is updated continuously.
Hosted in Uppsala by Swedish PEN from 27 September to 1 October 2022 - themed THE POWER OF WORDS - Future Challenges for Freedom of Expression - the 88th International PEN Congress aimed to discuss and challenge PEN’s understanding of issues such hate speech, digital surveillance and the importance of freedom of expression and information in relation to climate change, war and post-conflict, as well PEN’s work moving forward. A wide range of public activities was organised around Uppsala in collaboration with local actors. Some of the activities took place as part of the main proceedings of the Congress, while others were arranged in bookshops, theatres and other cultural venues.
The PEN Congress was organized with generous support from Stiftelsen Natur & Kultur, Uppsala city, Uppsala University, Region Uppsala, Världsklass Uppsala, Swedish Institute, Swedish Arts Council, Swedish Academy, Annika & Gabriel Urwitz´Stiftelse, Kjell och Märta Beijers stiftelse, The Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation, and private donors.
Burhan Sonmez: Opening Speech
Opening Speech by President of PEN International, Burhan Sonmez.
Click here to read the speech.
And click here to see the recorded version (Burhan’s speech begins at 18:19)
Photo: Staffan Claesson
Dr Siri Hustvedt:
The Power of Words
Keynote speech by novelist and scholar Dr. Siri Hustvedt held at the opening ceremony of the 88th International PEN Congress in Uppsala.
Click here to read the speech.
And click here to see the recorded version (Hustvedt’s speech begins at 34:30)
Photo: Staffan Claesson
Mondays for freedom: House of Literature
Mondays for Freedom, a manifestation for freedom of expression, human rights and democracy started on 28 March as an urgent response to Russia's war against Ukraine. Since then, at 5pm every Monday for 15 minutes, local cultural actors have taken turn to plead for freedom and democracy. This final manifestation took place one day before the PEN international Congress, and was bookended by a speech from Burhan Sönmez
Ola Larsmo:
The Arc of Justice
Speech by writer and PEN International board member Ola Larsmo, held during a ceremonial gathering by the Martin Luther King Monument as a part of the opening of the 88th International PEN Congress. The monument is a sculpture by made by artist Olof Hellström in 1974.
Click here to read the speech.
Photo: Gustav Larsson