Georgio Russell and Anna Sokolova win 2025 RBC/PEN Canada New Voices Award
Georgio Russell and Anna Sokolova have won the 2025 RBC/PEN Canada New Voices Award. It is the first time the prize has been awarded to two writers. Each poet will …
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Read the poetry and stories of the 2025 New Voices Award cohort
Anna Sokolova and Georgio Russell have won the 2025 RBC/PEN Canada New Voices Award. The jury also selected five finalists: Edie Reaney Chunn, Emily Gaudet, Gwen Aube, Helen Han Wei …
PEN Canada strongly condemns the killing of six journalists in Gaza
PEN Canada strongly condemns the killing of six journalists in Gaza on August 10, 2025, by the Israeli military. Anas al-Sharif, Mohammed Qreiqeh, Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, Moamen Aliwa and …
In Loving Memory of Joan, a Woman Who Wrote with Her Life, Not Just Words.
Written by Hoda Karimi Sadra. Hoda is dear friend of Joan Leishman and an exiled writer from Iran. Joan helped Hoda and her son Ali achieve refugee status with the …
In Memoriam: Joan Leishman
PEN Canada is heartbroken by the sudden passing of Joan Leishman, journalist and long-time advocate for refugee writers. b. January 17, 1958 – d. August 3, 2025 As a young …
Atefeh Khademolreza awarded 2025 PEN Canada-Humber Writers-in-Exile Scholarship
Atefeh Khademolreza, an Iranian-Canadian writer and filmmaker, is the recipient of the 2025 PEN Canada Humber Writers-in-Exile Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded annually to a member of the PEN Canada …
PEN Canada elects new president, Ira Wells
TORONTO – PEN Canada is pleased to announce Ira Wells as the new president of PEN Canada. He was elected on Thursday, June 12, 2025 during the PEN Canada Annual …
Joint letter to Keir Starmer on anniversary of Apple Daily closure
Jimmy Lai is a pro-democracy campaigner, writer, and founder of the now-shuttered Apple Daily newspaper. He has been imprisoned in solitary confinement since December 2020 and now faces prosecution under …
Joint Call for the Withdrawal of Bill C-2
PEN Canada joins 39 organizations and 132 individuals in a joint letter demanding a complete withdrawal of Bill C-2. The following letter was sent this week to Canadian authorities, including …
PEN Canada publishes Annual Report 2024/2025
The 2024/2025 annual report, I Hope This Letter Finds You Well, explores the power of letter writing as a tool of connection and advocacy. Edited by poet and writer Eli …