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. The current President of PEN International is a novelist Jennifer Clement.
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. 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 found 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.
Presidents of Belarusian PEN Centre
1990 – 1999
Ryhor Baradulin
1999 — 2003
Vasil Bykau
2003— 2005
Lyavon Barshcheuski
2005 — 2009
Uladzimir Nyaklyayeu
2009 — 2017
Andrej Khadanovich
2017 — 2019
Taciana Niadbaj
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.
The members of Belarusian PEN adhere to principles and values of the PEN International’s Charter.
PEN-centre Board:
Vice President
Taciana Niadbaj
Poet, translator, cultural project managerпраектаў
The First Vice President
Paul Antipov
Writer
The Second Vice President
Uladzimir Liankievič
Poet, translator, musician
The Third Vice President
Alena Kazlova
Writer, translator
Board member
Uladzimier Arlou
Poet, prose writer, historian, essayist
Board member
Siarhej Dubaviec
Writer, journalist
Board member
Andrej Khadanovich
Poet, translator, literary scholar
PEN-centre Team
Taciana Niadbaj
is a strategic development coordinator; she takes part in organizing Jerzy Giedroyc Literary Award, Michal Aniempadystau prize, Pradmova Literary Festival and in Monitoring of Cultural Rights Realization. She represents Belarusian PEN-centre at the international meetings and is responsible for deepening the co-working processes with the partners and works for strengthening the human rights sector of PEN’s activities.
Paul Antipov
is founder and coordinator of Residence for young writer, founder and first editor of Litradio. He is responsible for PEN administrative things
Nick Antipov
Design
Uladzimir Liankievič
Coordinator of Ciotka prize, Debut Maksim Bahdanovich literary prize, Litradio editor
Darya Romanovich
Web-site editor, social media manager
Darya Wiesner
Coordinator of the Book of the Year prize, Debut Maksim Bahdanovich literary prize and Ciotka prize
Darya Belkevich
Web-site editor, social media manager,
Belarusian PEN’s contacts
[email protected]
www.penbelarus.org
Belarusian PEN on social media:
(FB) pencentre
(VK) pencentre
(Insta) pencentre_by
(youtube) penbelarus