{"id":1364,"date":"2019-06-13T06:37:09","date_gmt":"2019-06-13T06:37:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/pen\/"},"modified":"2026-02-09T13:39:33","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T13:39:33","slug":"pen","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/en\/pen.html","title":{"rendered":"Who we are"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/en\/2025\/05\/30\/belaruski-pen-gistoryya-svabodnaga-slova-i-kulturnaga-supraczivu.html\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-19298 size-thumbnail aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/pen_belarus_logo_main_red-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/ loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/pen_belarus_logo_main_red-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/pen_belarus_logo_main_red-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/pen_belarus_logo_main_red.png 441w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Founded in 1989, PEN Belarus is one of the longest-running human rights organisations. It defends the freedom of expression, challenges acts of hatred, and seeks to draw international focus to human rights violations in Belarus, particularly those affecting cultural rights.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PEN Belarus unites writers, advocates for their rights during imprisonment, and keeps a record of works labelled as extremist materials. The\u00a0term\u00a0&#8220;writers&#8221;\u00a0can\u00a0be\u00a0understood broadly to\u00a0include Belarusian\u00a0literary figures, translators, scholars of literature, publicists, intellectuals, and\u00a0anyone\u00a0who\u00a0engages in cultural creation and promotion,\u00a0champions the written word, and\u00a0supports its authors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both Belarusian Nobel laureates, writer Sviat\u0142ana Aleksijevi\u010d and human rights defender Ale\u015b Bialacki, are members of PEN Belarus.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We view literature and culture as the essential pillars of a sustainable democratic system, applying a human rights\u2013oriented approach. PEN Belarus members follow its <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/statut.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener \"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Charter<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, endorse the tenets and values of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pen.org\/pen-charter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PEN International Charter<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and recognise the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/doc\/principles-by.pdf\" class=\"count\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener \"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Principles of Human Rights Defenders<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as articulated by the Belarusian human rights community.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #b51f36; font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Our\u00a0mission<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is to defend writers and other creators, protect cultural and civil liberties, advocate for humanistic values, and preserve identity &#8211; while facilitating the evolution of Belarusian culture, creativity, and intercultural dialogue.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/2021\/12\/29\/galounyya-vyniki-shoda-pa-stvarenni-belaruskaga-pena-u-zamezhzhy.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener \">The approved name<\/a> of our organization is: in Belarusian \u2013 <strong>\u0411\u0435\u043b\u0430\u0440\u0443\u0441\u043a\u0456 \u041f\u042d\u041d<\/strong>, in English \u2013 <strong>PEN Belarus<\/strong>, in Polish \u2013 <strong>Bia\u0142oruski PEN<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-19313\" src=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/line.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2250\" height=\"30\" \/ loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/line.jpg 2250w, https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/line-300x4.jpg 300w, https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/line-1024x14.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/line-768x10.jpg 768w, https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/line-1536x20.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/line-2048x27.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2250px) 100vw, 2250px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>The two core pursuits of PEN Belarus include the defence of human rights and the support of artistic expression<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Human rights defence<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Human rights work is a fundamental part of our activities. We engage in systematic tracking of violations related to the cultural rights and human rights of cultural figures, as well as broader issues in the cultural field. Every two weeks, we publish <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/en\/tag\/hronika\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener \"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">chronicles of human rights violations<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and quarterly, we release <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/en\/tag\/penanalytics\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener \"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in-depth analytical reports<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. In\u00a0addition,\u00a0we\u00a0carry out\u00a0dedicated\u00a0research on\u00a0critical\u00a0topics, such as\u00a0the aspects of\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/en\/2024\/12\/06\/samaczenzura-yak-nyabachnaya-forma-represij-i-sposab-zahavacz-belaruskuyu-kulturu.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener \"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">self-censorship<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and\u00a0the implications of\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/en\/2023\/12\/26\/rusifikaczyya-belarusi-sfera-kultury.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener \"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Russification<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We regularly conduct solidarity campaigns for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/en\/tag\/people-of-word\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener \"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">imprisoned writers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and repressed cultural figures, engage in advocacy at the international level, and offer various types of support to creators affected by repression.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As part of the Belarusian human rights community, we are co-founders of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/belhumanrights.house\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Barys Zvozskau Belarusian Human Rights House<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and members of a coalition that unites several Belarusian human rights organisations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We\u00a0work\u00a0diligently\u00a0to\u00a0advocate\u00a0for\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/en\/news\/cultural-right\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener \"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cultural rights and human rights in the cultural field<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Belarus, raising awareness among creators and representatives of cultural entities and conducting educational campaigns and training focused on the protection of cultural rights.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Support of artistic expression<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As part of our\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/en\/projects_en.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener \"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">artistic\u00a0mission<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, we create a space that allows artists to explore their capabilities, access support, draw inspiration, and be part of a community that encourages cultural development.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This area of our work includes <\/span><b>literary awards<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (named after <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/premija_adamovicha.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener \"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ale\u015b Adamovi\u010d<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/premija_bahushevicha.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener \"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Franci\u0161ak Bahu\u0161evi\u010d<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/giedroyc.penbelarus.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jerzy Giedroyc<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/arsenneva.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener \"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Natalla Arsiennieva<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/aniempadystau.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener \"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Micha\u0142 Aniempadysta\u016d<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/premija_aliakhnovicha.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener \"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Franci\u0161ak Alachnovi\u010d<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/sherman.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener \"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Carlos Sherman<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Maksim Bahdanovi\u010d <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/debut.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener \"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">D\u00e9but<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and other), <\/span><b>festivals (<\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/karatkevich.penbelarus.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">U\u0142adzimir Karatkievi\u010d Traveling Festival<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/2024\/07\/04\/yak-guchala-belaruskaya-litaratura-na-hucna-fest-fotaspravazdacha.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener \"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">literary stage<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at Hu\u010dna Fest, and other), <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/audio.penbelarus.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><b>audioteque<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, artist residences and educational projects (for example, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/tag\/majsternya\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener \"><b>Translation Workshop<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/2025\/04\/07\/shto-treba-vedacz-autaru-i-vydauczu-tlumachym-autarskae-prava-prostaj-movaj.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener \"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">webinars for independent publishers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and other).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-19313\" src=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/line.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2250\" height=\"30\" \/ loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/line.jpg 2250w, https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/line-300x4.jpg 300w, https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/line-1024x14.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/line-768x10.jpg 768w, https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/line-1536x20.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/line-2048x27.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2250px) 100vw, 2250px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>We are part of international organisations<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>We are at PEN International<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Established in 1989, PEN Belarus is a member of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pen-international.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PEN International<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">P.E.N. originally stood for &#8220;Poets, Essayists, Novelists&#8221;. The first letters of these words coincide in many European languages and together form the word <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PEN<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 a pen. Now it stands for &#8220;Poets, Playwrights, Editors, Essayists, Novelists&#8221; and includes writers of any form of literature, such as journalists, historians, critics, translators, scriptwriters, bloggers, and publishers regardless of ethnicity, language, skin colour, sex and religion.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PEN International is a global association of professional writers, founded in London on 5 October 1921, at the initiative of Catherine Amy Dawson Scott and John Galsworthy, with the goal of promoting cooperation among creative professionals and defending their rights. Today, it operates across five continents in over 90 countries, with 130 Centres supporting the unhampered transmission of thought within each nation and between all nations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PEN Belarus is guided by the ideals of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/en\/statut.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener \"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PEN Charter<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as well <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/en\/deklaracy-manfesty.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener \"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">declarations and manifestos<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>We are part of the Network of Human Rights Houses<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PEN Belarus is a member of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/humanrightshouse.org\/human-rights-houses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Network of Human Rights Houses<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/belhumanrights.house\/en\/about\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Barys Zvozskau Belarusian Human Rights House<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (BHRH) was founded in 2006 by Belarusian human rights organisations, including PEN Belarus and the Foundation for Human Rights Houses (Norway).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today, 80 civil society organisations (CSOs) are united in the Network of Human Rights Houses, which is active across Eastern and Western Europe, the Balkans, and the Caucasus. The mandate of the Network of Human Rights Houses is to defend, strengthen and support human rights organisations on the ground and integrate them into an international network. BHRH cooperates with numerous Houses and organisations that founded them, as well as with Belarusian and foreign human rights organisations and other public entities, to improve the human rights situation in Belarus and worldwide. BHRH supports Belarusian human rights defenders and strengthens their organisations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-19313\" src=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/line.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2250\" height=\"30\" \/ loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/line.jpg 2250w, https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/line-300x4.jpg 300w, https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/line-1024x14.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/line-768x10.jpg 768w, https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/line-1536x20.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/line-2048x27.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2250px) 100vw, 2250px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>History<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PEN Belarus was founded in 1989 by a committee that included 20 Belarusian writers. It was admitted to PEN International in May 1990 at the 55 Congress on Madeira Island. The Justice Ministry of the Republic of Belarus registered PEN Belarus on 16 November 1990 on the grounds of the Statute and the 1 November 1990 Council of Ministers Resolution \u2116274 and re-registered\u00a0on 31 October 1999. PEN International holds Special Consultative Status at the UN and Associate Status at UNESCO.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 1994, PEN Belarus established two annual literary awards presented to outstanding writers to encourage their work and recognise their achievements: the Ale\u015b Adamovi\u010d Award and Franci\u0161ak Bahu\u0161evi\u010d Award. In 2012, PEN Belarus became one of the founders of the Jerzy Giedroyc Literary Award. These awards continue to this day, alongside the new emerging literary prizes and projects.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since 1996, PEN Belarus has been a member of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.englishpen.org\/posts\/campaigns\/about-the-writers-in-prison-committee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Writers in Prison Committee<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, established in 1960 by the Assembly of Delegates of PEN International.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PEN\u00a0Belarus was dissolved\u00a0by\u00a0a\u00a0Supreme\u00a0Court\u00a0ruling\u00a0on\u00a09 August\u00a02021,\u00a0which\u00a0fell\u00a0on the anniversary of the\u00a02020 presidential election. From 2020\u00a0through\u00a02022, we\u00a0experienced\u00a0Ministry of Justice inspections, searches, legal liquidation, and website\u00a0blocking and\u00a0had\u00a0to\u00a0move\u00a0our team to Warsaw,\u00a0but we never\u00a0paused\u00a0our work\u00a0even\u00a0for a\u00a0single day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today, PEN Belarus is registered in Poland and continues its activities as an association (<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">stowarzyszenie<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>You can read more about the history of PEN Belarus <a href=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/en\/2025\/05\/30\/belaruski-pen-gistoryya-svabodnaga-slova-i-kulturnaga-supraczivu.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener \">in our article<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n      <div class=\"theme-swiper-gallery-wrapper\">\r\n        <div class=\"theme-swiper-gallery swiper\">\r\n          <div class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\r\n          <div class=\"swiper-slide\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/photo-1.jpg');\"><\/div>\r\n          <div class=\"swiper-slide\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/photo-2.jpg');\"><\/div>\r\n          <div class=\"swiper-slide\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/photo-3.jpg');\"><\/div>\r\n          <div class=\"swiper-slide\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/photo-4.jpg');\"><\/div>\r\n          <div class=\"swiper-slide\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/photo-5.jpg');\"><\/div>\r\n          <div class=\"swiper-slide\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/photo-6.jpg');\"><\/div>\r\n          <div class=\"swiper-slide\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/photo-7.jpg');\"><\/div>\r\n          <div class=\"swiper-slide\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/photo-8.jpg');\"><\/div>\r\n          <div class=\"swiper-slide\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/photo-9.jpg');\"><\/div>\r\n          <div class=\"swiper-slide\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/photo-10.jpg');\"><\/div>\r\n          <div class=\"swiper-slide\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/photo.jpg');\"><\/div>\r\n          <\/div>\r\n          <div class=\"theme-swiper-button theme-swiper-button-prev\">    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 -960 960 960\" class=\"theme-icon theme-icon-arrow-circle-left\"><path d=\"M480-334.232 521.768-376l-74.001-74.001h182.232v-59.998H447.767L521.768-584 480-625.768 334.232-480 480-334.232Zm.067 234.231q-78.836 0-148.204-29.92-69.369-29.92-120.682-81.21-51.314-51.291-81.247-120.629-29.933-69.337-29.933-148.173t29.92-148.204q29.92-69.369 81.21-120.682 51.291-51.314 120.629-81.247 69.337-29.933 148.173-29.933t148.204 29.92q69.369 29.92 120.682 81.21 51.314 51.291 81.247 120.629 29.933 69.337 29.933 148.173t-29.92 148.204q-29.92 69.369-81.21 120.682-51.291 51.314-120.629 81.247-69.337 29.933-148.173 29.933ZM480-160q134 0 227-93t93-227q0-134-93-227t-227-93q-134 0-227 93t-93 227q0 134 93 227t227 93Zm0-320Z\"\/><\/svg>\r\n<\/div>\r\n          <div class=\"theme-swiper-button theme-swiper-button-next\">    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 -960 960 960\" class=\"theme-icon theme-icon-arrow-circle-right\"><path d=\"M480-334.232 625.768-480 480-625.768 438.232-584l74.001 74.001H330.001v59.998h182.232L438.232-376 480-334.232Zm.067 234.231q-78.836 0-148.204-29.92-69.369-29.92-120.682-81.21-51.314-51.291-81.247-120.629-29.933-69.337-29.933-148.173t29.92-148.204q29.92-69.369 81.21-120.682 51.291-51.314 120.629-81.247 69.337-29.933 148.173-29.933t148.204 29.92q69.369 29.92 120.682 81.21 51.314 51.291 81.247 120.629 29.933 69.337 29.933 148.173t-29.92 148.204q-29.92 69.369-81.21 120.682-51.291 51.314-120.629 81.247-69.337 29.933-148.173 29.933ZM480-160q134 0 227-93t93-227q0-134-93-227t-227-93q-134 0-227 93t-93 227q0 134 93 227t227 93Zm0-320Z\"\/><\/svg>\r\n<\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      \r\n\n<h5 style=\"text-align: left;\" align=\"center\"><b>PEN Belarus Presidents<\/b><\/h5>\n<div class=\"d-flex justify-center flex-wrap\" style=\"overflow: hidden; text-align: center;\">\n<div class=\"mx-2 mb-2\" style=\"float: left; width: 145px; padding-right: 5px;\" align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-radius: 100px; width: 130px;\" src=\"\/img\/baradulin.jpg\" \/ loading=\"lazy\"><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans Condensed', sans-serif; font-size: 12px;\"> 1990 \u2013 1999<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans Condensed', sans-serif; font-size: 18px;\"> Ryhor Baradulin<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"mx-2 mb-2\" style=\"float: left; width: 145px; padding-right: 5px;\" align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-radius: 100px; width: 130px;\" src=\"\/img\/bykov.jpg\" \/ loading=\"lazy\"><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans Condensed', sans-serif; font-size: 12px;\"> 1999 \u2014 2003<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans Condensed', sans-serif; font-size: 18px;\"> Vasil Bykau<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"mx-2 mb-2\" style=\"float: left; width: 145px; padding-right: 5px;\" align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-radius: 100px; width: 130px;\" src=\"\/img\/barsh.jpg\" \/ loading=\"lazy\"><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans Condensed', sans-serif; font-size: 12px;\"> 2003\u2014 2005<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans Condensed', sans-serif; font-size: 18px;\"> Lyavon Barshcheuski<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"mx-2 mb-2\" style=\"float: left; width: 145px; padding-right: 5px;\" align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-radius: 100px; width: 130px;\" src=\"\/img\/neklyaev.jpg\" \/ loading=\"lazy\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans Condensed', sans-serif; font-size: 12px;\">2005 \u2014 2009<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans Condensed', sans-serif; font-size: 18px;\"> Uladzimir Nyaklyayeu<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"d-flex justify-center flex-wrap\" style=\"margin-bottom: 20px; overflow: hidden;\">\n<div class=\"mx-2 mb-2\" style=\"float: left; width: 145px; padding-right: 5px;\" align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-radius: 100px; width: 130px;\" src=\"\/img\/hadanovich.jpg\" \/ loading=\"lazy\"><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans Condensed', sans-serif; font-size: 12px;\">2009 \u2014 2017<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans Condensed', sans-serif; font-size: 18px;\"> Andrej Khadanovich<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"mx-2 mb-2\" style=\"float: left; width: 145px; padding-right: 5px;\" align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-radius: 100px; width: 130px;\" src=\"\/img\/niadbaj.jpg\" \/ loading=\"lazy\"><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans Condensed', sans-serif; font-size: 12px;\">2017 \u2014 2019<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans Condensed', sans-serif; font-size: 18px;\"> Taciana Niadbaj <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"mx-2 mb-2\" style=\"float: left; width: 145px;\" align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-radius: 100px; width: 130px;\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/saa.png\" \/ loading=\"lazy\"><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans Condensed', sans-serif; font-size: 12px;\">2019 &#8211; 2021<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans Condensed', sans-serif; font-size: 18px;\">Svetlana Alexievich \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"mx-2 mb-2\" style=\"float: left; width: 145px; padding-right: 5px;\" align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-radius: 100px; width: 130px;\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/nyadbaj1.png\" \/ loading=\"lazy\"><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans Condensed', sans-serif; font-size: 12px;\">2021 \u2014 until now<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans Condensed', sans-serif; font-size: 18px;\"> Taciana Niadbaj <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-19313\" src=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/line.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2250\" height=\"30\" \/ loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/line.jpg 2250w, https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/line-300x4.jpg 300w, https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/line-1024x14.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/line-768x10.jpg 768w, https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/line-1536x20.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/line-2048x27.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2250px) 100vw, 2250px\" \/><\/p>\n<div style=\"margin-top: 20px;\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>What you can do for us<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/en\/padtrymacz-pen.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener \"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Support us financially<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. PEN Belarus operates thanks to donations. Together, we can do more to support writers, defend human rights, and preserve Belarusian culture.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Support and join <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/en\/statement\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener \"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">our statements<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> addressed to the Belarus authorities and international community, and share them on your social media pages or in the media\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Become <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/stats-syabram-pena.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener \"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a member of PEN Belarus<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to help promote literature and culture and defend freedom of expression together.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Support the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/en\/tag\/people-of-word\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener \"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Imprisoned Writers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2014 read their stories and share them wherever you can.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Subscribe to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/en\/contacts.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener \"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">our social media pages<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, read our news and analytical reports, and share them on your social media.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Founded in 1989, PEN Belarus is one of the longest-running human rights organisations. It defends the freedom of expression, challenges acts of hatred, and seeks to draw international focus to human rights violations in Belarus, particularly those affecting cultural rights. PEN Belarus unites writers, advocates for their rights during imprisonment, and keeps a record of<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1364","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1364","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1364"}],"version-history":[{"count":134,"href":"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1364\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21668,"href":"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1364\/revisions\/21668"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1364"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}