Writers’ organization PEN America canceled its 2024 annual award on Monday, just a week before the ceremony, after widespread criticism over Israel’s handling of the Gaza war.
According to one report, 61 authors and translators were nominated for the award, but 28 of them had their books not considered. statement It was released on Monday.
Nine of the ten authors nominated for the PEN/Jean Stein Book Award include: maya binyam and Come on Fune Felixwithdrew from consideration.
“We are all disappointed in this outcome as this is a much-loved event and a huge amount of work has gone into it, but in the end it is not what we had hoped and planned. “We concluded that it was not possible to hold the celebrations in this way,” said Suzanne Nossel, CEO of the organization. The Freedom of Literature and Expression organization said in a statement on Monday.
Chief Literary Programming Officer Clarice Rosaz Sharif added that canceling was a difficult decision.
“I have great respect for the writers for following their conscience, regardless of whether they chose to remain nominated in their respective categories,” Rosaz Sharif said.
“We regret that these unprecedented circumstances have shunted the spotlight on the extraordinary works selected by respected, insightful, and hard-working judges from all sectors. Freedom of Expression and Authors As a dedicated organization, our commitment to recognizing and honoring great writers and the literary community is unwavering.”
The decision comes as the organization takes a tougher stance on the Palestinian plight in response to last October’s Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, and in the wake of Israeli military attacks in the Gaza Strip. The decision came in the wake of violent and escalating protests demanding a ceasefire.
The daughters of the late American author and editor Jean Stein, editor and publisher Katrina Vanden Heuvel, actor and producer Wendy Vanden Heuvel, and literary agent Bill Clegg are the foundation and Stein’s daughter. A statement was issued on behalf of Literary Heritage.
“Jean Stein was a passionate advocate of Palestinian rights and published, supported, and celebrated Palestinian writers and visual artists,” it reads.
She added: “She established the PEN America Prize in her name to bring attention to and provide meaningful support to writers of the greatest literary achievement, but this year the position of writers who withdrew from the competition… We know that she would have respected that sacrifice.”
The foundation asked PEN America to donate the $75,000 prize to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.
Camille Dungey’s “Soil” was the only work nominated for the Stein Award.
Naomi Klein, a columnist for the Guardian newspaper, was among a group of prominent writers that included Michelle Alexander and Zaina Arafat. signed last month In an open letter to PEN America, they announced their decision not to participate in this year’s PEN World Voices Festival.
“In the backdrop of Israel’s continued war on Gaza, we believe that PEN America has betrayed the organization’s professed commitment to peace and equality for all peoples and to the freedom and safety of writers around the world,” the letter said. There it is written.
In response, PEN condemned the loss of life in Gaza, called for a ceasefire, and said it supported the establishment of a $100,000 emergency fund for Palestinian writers.
Esther Allentranslator of Antonio di Benedetto’s Silence and Zama, and short story writer Nick Mandarnak and Kelly X. Hoy He also declined the annual award.
The PEN American Literary Award recognizes voices in the literary world, including writers of fiction, poetry, children’s literature, and theater. Prizes for writers and translators total approximately $350,000.
Jennifer Finney Boylan, president of PEN America, said last week that the organization’s work “looks back, not just over the last six months, but actually 10 years ago, to make sure we are aligned with our mission. Recommendations on how to respond to future conflicts.”
The award ceremony was scheduled to take place on April 29th at City Hall in New York City.
