Key news
Julian Assange freed
Since founding WikiLeaks 18 years ago, Julian Assange has endured legal wranglings, arrest warrants, political asylum, incarceration and the threat of extradition to the US. He walked free and returned to Australia on 26 June. Here are some links to analyses of the case:
The Conversation: https://theconversation.com/julian-assange-is-free-but-curly-legal-questions-about-his-case-remain-233339
The Spectator (UK): https://thespectator.com/topic/julian-assange-deal-ethically-dubious/
Upcoming events
PEN Perth AGM 2024 and Reading secular India event
The 2024 PEN Perth AGM will be held at 2.30 pm on Saturday 27 July 2024 at the Centre for Stories, 100 Aberdeen Street, Northbridge; followed by poetry reading and discussion, titled ‘Reading secular India’.
Join us at the Centre for Stories for a meeting to discuss achievements over the last year, updates on our incarcerated adoptees, and a chance to connect with fellow members and non-members. This in-person event is the perfect opportunity to voice your opinions, share your ideas, and help shape the future of PEN Perth. Don’t miss out on this exciting gathering of like-minded individuals passionate about freedom of expression.
‘Reading secular India’ aims to reaffirm thOn 15 August 1947, India’s first Prime Minister, Pandit Nehru, articulated the hopes of a new-born nation: ‘All of us, to whatever religion we may belong, are equally the children of India.’
Under the current PM Narendra Modi, the rise of extremist Hindutva ideology threatens to tarnish this vision.
This event, ‘Reading secular India’, aims to reaffirm the idea of a secular, democratic, and modern India through the voices of iconic poets from diverse regions of India.
Participants, all based in Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar, are:
Lakshmi Kanchi is an emerging Indian-Australian poet, dedicated to making poetry accessible. She is the author of Lakesong, published by the Centre for Stories (WA) in collaboration with Red River Press (New Delhi). Lakshmi won the 2023 Ros Spencer Poetry Prize and the 2021 Pocketry Prize for Unpublished Poets, and was the inaugural Poet-in-Residence at The Wetlands Centre (2022-23).
Asha Rajan is a South Indian-Australian writer, whose work addresses issues of culture, connection, inclusion, feminism, and parenthood. She is committed to demonstrating deep love and respect for First Nations People and her cultural history.
Rashida Murphy is founder of The Writers’ Collective. She is a national and international award-winning author of both prose and poetry. She is also a cultural historian and a respected mentor who believes in creating opportunities for emerging writers.
Krishna Sen, FAHA, Chair of PEN Perth, will moderate the event. Krishna is Bengali by language and culture. She is Professor Emerita in the School of Humanities and Fellow of the Public Policy Institute, The University of Western Australia.
Readings will be in several Indian languages including English, Urdu, Kannada, Malayalam, and possibly Gujrati and Bangla.e idea of a secular, democratic, and modern India through the voices of iconic poets.
PEN: A Global Network for Readers And Writers
$18, $14 for Members, $11 Concession
Date: Monday 29-Jul-2024
Single session (Open)
Time 10:00am for 1 hr
Venue: Glyde-In Garden Room
Speaker: Krishna Sen
PEN International was established over a hundred years ago, to define and support ‘responsible freedom of speech’ around the world and to connect writers and publishers across cultural difference and political conflict. We’ll hear of the increasing challenges both to the idea of free speech and the growing risks facing writers around the world. What, if anything, can we do in our daily lives to support writers in prison and at risk of harm, from their own governments or invading armies or civil wars?
In case you missed it
Ma Thida did fantastic events with us while she was in Perth. You can read (or watch) them below. Pictured above is Chris Lin (left) interviewing Ma Thida (right).
Ma Thida with Chris Lin interview at the Centre For Stories (15/06/2024): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBLuTAyt4GE&t=341s
Writing WA Interview with Ma Thida: https://writingwa.substack.com/p/chair-of-pen-internationals-writers
World Expression Forum
Committee member Frances An attended the World Expression Forum (with PEN Norway) in Lillehammer as a Young Expert on Freedom of Expression. It was a great opportunity to hear about modern threats to free expression such as internet shutdowns during elections and AI. Meeting other PEN members and representatives of organisations also passionate about freedom and dignity was a valuable experience.
penperth.com 