International Publishers gather in Frankfurt with PEN International to signal cooperation in the fight for freedom of expression across the world
12 October 2011
Formed by PEN International with founder members Hachette Livre, Penguin Books and Random House early in
2011, the PEN International Publishers' Circle announces its expansion today to embrace Scandinavian and
Canadian Publishers, and its intention to grow across the world in the coming year. The Circle welcomes
amongst its members the Swedish publishers Forlag AB, KF Media AB, Natur & Kultur and the independents'
group De Oberoende. Norway will be represented by Gyldendal Norsk Forlag, Aschehoug Forlag and Cappelen
Damm, whilst Harper Collins Canada and Douglas & McIntyre have joined from Canada.
The PEN International Publishers' Circle is the first organization of its kind. It believes that improving Freedom
of Expression for writers creates the conditions needed for a successful and active publishing industry. The
Circle invites publishers around the world, large and small, to support PEN's work developing Freedom of
Expression and ensuring that publishers and writers are free to operate in all countries and readers are free to
access the books of their choice. PEN International President John Ralston Saul commented, "Without a solid
publishing system, whether for books or journalism or any new technology, you cannot have freedom of speech.
The purpose of the Publishers' Circle is to join the work of publishing with PEN's work on Freedom of Expression."
PEN is marking its growing cooperation with the publishing world at the Frankfurt Book Fair, the biggest media
and book fair in the world. At the PEN International event Free the Word: Times of Transition, John Ralston Saul
will be joined by leading figures from the worlds of writing and publishing to discuss the social, political and
technological transitions which are the evolving the challenges to freedom of expression and literature.
Speakers include Ronald Blunden, Head of Communications at Hachette Livre; Eva Bonnier, Chairman of
Swedish Publishing Association and Publisher at Forlag AB; and Anders Heger, writer, publisher with Cappelen
Damm, and President of Norwegian PEN.
Anders Heger says of Cappelen Damm's participation: "For a publishing house that aspires to play a role in
promoting freedom of speech, it is an honour to support PEN International and its vital work." Eva Bonnier,
Chairman of the Swedish Publishers Association, has highlighted the concrete steps that the Circle will take,
commenting, "It is key that we fight for freedom of speech around the world. As Forlag AB, we are proud to be
making a concrete commitment to this cause."
Juergen Boos, Director of the Frankfurt Book Fair, has expressed PEN's place at the heart of the fair: "For many
years, PEN International has been a fixed part of the Frankfurt Book Fair. Freedoms of speech, of press and of
opinion have to be fought for anew, every day. These freedoms are the foundation of our whole industry. They
are what PEN International stands for, and that is why we support PEN International."
Notes to editors:
PEN International celebrates literature and promotes freedom of expression. Founded in 1921, our global
community of writers now comprises 144 Centres spanning more than 100 countries. Our programmes,
campaigns, events and publications connect writers and readers for global solidarity and cooperation. PEN
International is a non-political organization and holds consultative status at the United Nations and UNESCO.
For more information and to request interviews please contact our press office:
penoffice@pen-international | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | +44 (0) 20 7405 0338 + |
Or contact our Executive Director Laura McVeigh:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | +44 (0)7824640527 |
Formed by PEN International with founder members Hachette Livre, Penguin Books and Random House early in
2011, the PEN International Publishers' Circle announces its expansion today to embrace Scandinavian and
Canadian Publishers, and its intention to grow across the world in the coming year. The Circle welcomes
amongst its members the Swedish publishers Forlag AB, KF Media AB, Natur & Kultur and the independents'
group De Oberoende. Norway will be represented by Gyldendal Norsk Forlag, Aschehoug Forlag and Cappelen
Damm, whilst Harper Collins Canada and Douglas & McIntyre have joined from Canada.
The PEN International Publishers' Circle is the first organization of its kind. It believes that improving Freedom
of Expression for writers creates the conditions needed for a successful and active publishing industry. The
Circle invites publishers around the world, large and small, to support PEN's work developing Freedom of
Expression and ensuring that publishers and writers are free to operate in all countries and readers are free to
access the books of their choice. PEN International President John Ralston Saul commented, "Without a solid
publishing system, whether for books or journalism or any new technology, you cannot have freedom of speech.
The purpose of the Publishers' Circle is to join the work of publishing with PEN's work on Freedom of Expression."
PEN is marking its growing cooperation with the publishing world at the Frankfurt Book Fair, the biggest media
and book fair in the world. At the PEN International event Free the Word: Times of Transition, John Ralston Saul
will be joined by leading figures from the worlds of writing and publishing to discuss the social, political and
technological transitions which are the evolving the challenges to freedom of expression and literature.
Speakers include Ronald Blunden, Head of Communications at Hachette Livre; Eva Bonnier, Chairman of
Swedish Publishing Association and Publisher at Forlag AB; and Anders Heger, writer, publisher with Cappelen
Damm, and President of Norwegian PEN.
Anders Heger says of Cappelen Damm's participation: "For a publishing house that aspires to play a role in
promoting freedom of speech, it is an honour to support PEN International and its vital work." Eva Bonnier,
Chairman of the Swedish Publishers Association, has highlighted the concrete steps that the Circle will take,
commenting, "It is key that we fight for freedom of speech around the world. As Forlag AB, we are proud to be
making a concrete commitment to this cause."
Juergen Boos, Director of the Frankfurt Book Fair, has expressed PEN's place at the heart of the fair: "For many
years, PEN International has been a fixed part of the Frankfurt Book Fair. Freedoms of speech, of press and of
opinion have to be fought for anew, every day. These freedoms are the foundation of our whole industry. They
are what PEN International stands for, and that is why we support PEN International."
Notes to editors:
PEN International celebrates literature and promotes freedom of expression. Founded in 1921, our global
community of writers now comprises 144 Centres spanning more than 100 countries. Our programmes,
campaigns, events and publications connect writers and readers for global solidarity and cooperation. PEN
International is a non-political organization and holds consultative status at the United Nations and UNESCO.
For more information and to request interviews please contact our press office:
penoffice@pen-international | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | +44 (0) 20 7405 0338 + |
Or contact our Executive Director Laura McVeigh:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | +44 (0)7824640527 |
