The position of Danish PEN on Russian literature
No War Against Russian Art and Literature
PEN was founded in 1921, after the experience from the World War One propaganda, with the purpose of creating a forum for dialogue between literature in different languages and from different countries. Therefore, PEN must in every situation, including now during the Russian attack on Ukraine, strive to establish, maintain and expand the contacts that exist between writers in both countries directly involved, as well as in the world at large.
International PEN must therefore distance itself from the partial or total boycott of Russian culture and arts, including Russian literature and Russian writers, a boycott which many countries are practicing now. Although we understand and share the anger and frustration Russia’s attack on Ukraine has aroused, International PEN must distance itself from such collective punishments and call for a thorough stance in each case.
We do not rule out the possibility that there may be cases where interaction may cease, at least temporarily. However, this must be done after careful consideration and with valid arguments. PEN centers are not required to follow the official policies of the countries and states to which they belong.
After the Russian attack on Ukraine, the interest in Russian, as well as Ukrainian, history, culture and literature has as a matter of fact increased in Denmark, and we witness many presentations on these subjects, as well as many new translations and retranslations into Danish from these languages.
A collective exclusion of a language and / or a nation may affect a few who deserve it but will certainly affect many who do not deserve it, and who are deprived of the opportunity of vital contacts with the surrounding world. Members of PEN should support the Russian writers and artists who are fighting for freedom of speech and against hate speech, whether they are resident in Russia or in exile.
We hope that the above is what you asked for, and we would be happy to see the final results.
On behalf of Danish PEN
Jørgen Chr. Wind Nielsen
Board member
Member of the PEN TLRC working group
PEN was founded in 1921, after the experience from the World War One propaganda, with the purpose of creating a forum for dialogue between literature in different languages and from different countries. Therefore, PEN must in every situation, including now during the Russian attack on Ukraine, strive to establish, maintain and expand the contacts that exist between writers in both countries directly involved, as well as in the world at large.
International PEN must therefore distance itself from the partial or total boycott of Russian culture and arts, including Russian literature and Russian writers, a boycott which many countries are practicing now. Although we understand and share the anger and frustration Russia’s attack on Ukraine has aroused, International PEN must distance itself from such collective punishments and call for a thorough stance in each case.
We do not rule out the possibility that there may be cases where interaction may cease, at least temporarily. However, this must be done after careful consideration and with valid arguments. PEN centers are not required to follow the official policies of the countries and states to which they belong.
After the Russian attack on Ukraine, the interest in Russian, as well as Ukrainian, history, culture and literature has as a matter of fact increased in Denmark, and we witness many presentations on these subjects, as well as many new translations and retranslations into Danish from these languages.
A collective exclusion of a language and / or a nation may affect a few who deserve it but will certainly affect many who do not deserve it, and who are deprived of the opportunity of vital contacts with the surrounding world. Members of PEN should support the Russian writers and artists who are fighting for freedom of speech and against hate speech, whether they are resident in Russia or in exile.
We hope that the above is what you asked for, and we would be happy to see the final results.
On behalf of Danish PEN
Jørgen Chr. Wind Nielsen
Board member
Member of the PEN TLRC working group
31.10.2022
Kommentarer
Send en kommentar