Lyric for freedom: Fellows of PEN in Leipzig to be a guest!

Lyric for freedom: Fellows of PEN in Leipzig to be a guest!

Beethovenstr. 6, 04107 Leipzig, Deutschland - On June 24, 2025, the Leipzig University Library will host a special event: Scholarship holders of the "Writer in Exile" program of the German Pen are guests. This program has been offering protection and a temporary home for persecuted writers and authors for over 25 years. The event will take place on July 2 at 2:30 p.m. in the Albertina lecture hall, Beethovenstrasse 6, in Leipzig and is moderated by Kathrin. The thematic focus is on literature and the power of poetry, and the event is open to all visitors.

The scholarship holders that have their say at this event are Dr. Behnaz Amani from Iran and Ariel Maceo Tellez from Cuba. Dr. Amani, a committed poet and literary scholar, was an active voice during the "woman, life, freedom" movement. Their arrest and the subsequent release on deposit due to serious illness reflect the dangers with which many writers are faced. She has been a scholarship holder of the program since February 2024. Ariel Maceo Tellez, a talented poet and journalist, had to leave Kuba under dramatic circumstances after being the goal of one of his poems. He also found a home in the Writers-in-Exile program since he lived in Germany in 2024.

The meaning of the program

Nuremberg is the official partner of the "Writer in Exile" program and expressly confesses to the protection of endangered authors through his commitment. Nuremberg reports that the history of the city during the National Socialist tyranny brings a special responsibility towards pursued writers. Prominent writers like Hermann Kesten helped alumni intellectuals and thus set standards for today's commitment.

The Writers-in-Exile program offers security and a new perspective for numerous writers, including Sabal Phyu Nu from Myanmar and Nazli Karabiyiklu from Turkey. Both have experienced extreme challenges in their home countries because they campaigned for human rights and against repression. Their stories are an urgent testimony to the value of literature and the pursuit of freedom.

A look into the future

The Writers-in-Exile program remains an important point of contact for persecuted authors and writers who are looking for refuge in Germany. It not only supports artistic production, but also the exchange about important social issues. This initiative promotes awareness of the challenges in front of which writers are in repressive regimes and offers you a platform to raise your voice.

With the event in Leipzig, a connection between the literature and the current situation of persecuted authors is created. It is encouraged to look at the cultural heritage and the past in the context of modern challenges that the writers confronted around the world today.