Guiding principles

The lecture, on 19 June, is organised by human rights organisation English PEN,  in partnership with Newcastle University's Centre for Literary Arts (NCLA) and New Writing North. Gateshead based GemArts, a nationally recognised leader in the South Asian and diversity arts sector, is also involved as a marketing partner for the PEN Lecture.

English PEN’s annual PEN Lecture invites a leading writer to reflect on the current state of free expression, and to explore the resonance – or dissonance – of the words of the PEN Charter, the guiding principles of the PEN movement, with our current reality.

Shamsie will reflect on the PEN Charter, which has guided and unified PEN centres across the world since 1948. Forged from the ashes of World War Two, the PEN Charter calls for the “unhampered transmission of thought”, opposes “mendacious publication, deliberate falsehood, and distortion of facts for political and personal ends”, and affirms that “literature knows no frontiers, and must remain common currency among people in spite of political or international upheaval”. In an era of upheaval and conflict, Shamsie will ask what place these principles hold in our society, and what hope they can offer us for the future.

Equality and inclusivity

Kamila Shamsie said: “There is nothing more PEN than regarding the PEN Charter itself as a text that is subject to questioning rather than an immovable set of guidelines. It feels essential to re-examine the Charter’s claim that art ‘should be left untouched by national or political passion’, not merely for the sake of argument but to interrogate the role of writers, and of free expression organisations, in 2025.”

After delivering her lecture, Kamila Shamsie will be in conversation with award-winning writer, and Director of NCLA, Preti Taneja. Taneja is a Professor of World Literature and Creative Writing at Newcastle University, and English PEN Translation Advisory Co-chair.

Preti Taneja, Director of NCLA said: “Newcastle Centre for the Literary Arts is committed to presenting the very best in world literature, to discussing the pressing questions of our times with today’s leading writers, and to working with organisations that share our values of global and local equality and inclusivity. We are delighted to partner with English PEN, New Writing North, and GemArts to welcome Kamila Shamsie to Newcastle to discuss the vital subjects of ‘political’ writing and freedom of speech as she brings the PEN Charter into focus for 2025.”

Will Forrester, Head of Literature Programmes, English PEN said: “We are honoured that Kamila Shamsie will deliver the 2025 PEN Lecture. The PEN Charter has guided the PEN movement’s work for over 70 years, and, as our world has constantly changed, so its principles have at once held true and demanded constant re-examination and critique. In an era of, in the Charter’s terms, ‘political and international upheaval’, Kamila’s reflection on the document – drawing on her perspectives both as a writer and as a former Vice President of English PEN – promises to open up vital conversations about the power, purpose, and limits of literature and free expression today. We’re delighted to be partnering with New Writing North and the Newcastle Centre for the Literary Arts, and to continue to bring this important event to Newcastle.”

Rebecca Wilkie, Senior Programme Manager (Festivals & Events) at New Writing North and Director of Durham Book Festival, said: “Never has it been more important to defend the right to free expression. We are proud to be hosting this important lecture and discussion in Newcastle upon Tyne in partnership with English PEN and Newcastle University. Kamila Shamsie is an extraordinary writer whose books have resonated with many readers over the years – we’re delighted to welcome her to Newcastle.”

For more information and to book tickets, please visit: https://www.englishpen.org/posts/events/kamila-shamsie-2025-pen-lecture

Press release adapted with thanks to English PEN.