THE ARTHUR MILLER FREEDOM TO WRITE LECTURE: NOVELIST AND PEN UKRAINE PRESIDENT ANDREY KURKOV

In a 2018 lecture, PEN Ukraine President Andrey Kurkov said that “democracy is not eternal if it is not supported and not monitored daily, if we do not appreciate our rights and freedoms, and if we don’t react to every attempt of the authorities or individual political forces to restrict these rights and freedoms.” Since then, Kurkov has maintained that it is the role of writers, journalists, academics, and public intellectuals to protect our freedom to write, protest, and fight for a free press. In recent months, he—along with the Ukrainian people—have embodied that very spirit and offered inspiration to all who value and struggle for freedom around the world. Kurkov will deliver this year’s Arthur Miller Lecture, which will be followed by an interview and Q&A.

The Arthur Miller Freedom to Write Lecture has a very rich tradition. Arthur Miller served as President of PEN International from 1965-69 and this distinguished lectureship honors his legacy of unflinching defense of creative freedom both as an advocate and through his writings. Previous Lecturers include Arundhati Roy, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Umberto Eco, Orhan Pamuk, Salman Rushdie, Christopher Hitchens, Colm Tóibín, David Grossman, Nawal El Sadaawi, Masha Gessen, and Wole Soyinka.