150 writers, 40 countries, and more than 50 events
Join us for an exciting week-long celebration of books and writing from around the globe. A stellar line-up of emerging and established authors will take the stage in venues across New York City and several satellite locations from San Francisco to Washington DC. Don’t miss this exciting cross-cultural literary exchange, featuring conversations, panels, performances, readings, a translation slam and an all-star Cabaret night!
Readings from Around the Globe Celebrate the opening of the festival with “Readings from Around the Globe” featuring an extraordinary lineup of internationally acclaimed writers: Mohsin Hamid, László Krasznahorkai, Andrea Levy, Yiyun Li, Daniele Mastrogiacomo, Sofi Oksanen, Atiq Rahimi, Salman Rushdie, Alberto Ruy-Sanchez, Patti Smith, Andrzej Stasiuk, and Miguel Syjuco.
Adaptation: From Page to Screen Philippe Djian, on whose book the film Betty Blue was based, Jean-Philippe Toussaint, whose work has been compared to the films of Jim Jarmusch, Barry Gifford, whoseWild at Heart was directed by David Lynch and celebrates its 20th birthday this year, and Richard Price, whose book Clockers was directed b
y Spike Lee, take a look at what is lost—or gained—in the translation of fiction to film. Francine Prose directs the action.
Weather Report: What Can We Do? A transatlantic conversation about the latest on global warming, the Copenhagen climate talks, and policy options for the future, featuring some of the premier scientists and writers from the U.S. and Scandinavia. Presented in collaboration with NYRB and the Fritt Ord Freedom of Expression Foundation of Norway.
The Great Fire—Shirley Hazzard in Conversation with Richard Ford Don’t miss this rare meeting of two modern-day masters of the English language and the grand themes—“time, love, the coming around of inexorable events … the acceleration and dislocation of modern life.”
The Fourth Annual PEN Cabaret Join acclaimed songwriter Natalie Merchant performing songs from her new album, award-wining author Ariel Dorfman reading a spooky cyber horror tale, and appearances by Booker Prize–winning novelist Ben Okri, Georgian novelist and performance artist Irakli Kakabadze, and surprise guests. Emceed by editor, author, and jazz singer extraordinaire Rakesh Satyal.
Sherman Alexie: The Fifth Annual Arthur Miller Freedom to Write Lecture I Writer: The artistic,
political and economic responsibilities of writers in the digital age. As print publishing is rapidly changing, and radically altering what it means to be a writer, how should we respond? Don’t miss this unique appearance by the National Book Award–winning author.
