Free Word (Vapaa sana) is an online writing series published by Finnish PEN. We publish poetry, prose, essays and articles mainly by our members but also texts written by writers whose freedom of expression is endangered. Free Word is also a platform for texts discussing timely freedom of expression topics. If you wish your text to be published in the series send it to info@suomenpen.fi. For the full series, click: https://www.suomenpen.fi/en/category/vapaa-sana/.
Free Word
Pirita Näkkäläjärvi: Hate Speech and Indigenous People Sámi
Freedom of speech of indigenous peoples and hate speech towards indigenous peoples has not been widely studied. Academic literature on...
Joy Hyvärinen: Artistic freedom of expression
Questions related to freedom of expression can be controversial and challenging. Artistic freedom of expression can be especially challenging. Art...
Nataliya Teramae: The Shell of a Snail
Read the Essay by Nataliya Teramae in Ukrainian. When you emigrate to a foreign country, you automatically start looking for...
Joy Hyvärinen: Does Finland need a commission on freedom of expression?
The freedom of expression commission appointed by the Norwegian government in 2020 has recently published its report (read the report...
Peter Mickwitz: Örnulf Tigerstedt, right-wing radical and president of PEN Finland
Panem et Circenses. Let me toast to your freedom your eight-hour workday, your cultivated soul, your progress and your other...
Judyth Hill: Wage peace
Author and active PEN International member Judyth Hill is visiting Finland’s PEN 5-11.5. In addition to his commitment to freedom...
Joy Hyvärinen: Freedom of expression, limits and forgotten groups
It can be challenging to defend freedom of expression. You have to be ready to also defend the right of...
Nataliya Teramae: How we brought up a dictator
Artists do have the gift of prophesying. For Ulf Stark’s book ‘The Dictator’ Linda Bondestam created a picture of a...
Joy Hyvärinen: Controversial copyright law on its way
Finland, like other EU countries, needs to change its legislation to take account of the EU’s new copyright directive (DSM...
Samay Hamed: For the last American soldier
For the last American soldier: Goodbye General Greet your daughter from the girls of Kabul Tell her about the colorful...
Siarhej Budkin: 35 000 shots in 10 months
Shot 1 The border between two countries. A plot of land in the borderland is well ploughed to see whether...
Ak Welsapar: Love in Lilac
A novella The sun rose higher and in the lilac garden everything was painfully familiar. Arslan had only to close...
Kianoush Ramezani: Freedom after Expression: a new challenge
In 2006, I was invited to give a speech about Muhammad Cartoons and freedom of speech, at the Central European...
Ale Díaz: My Odyssey in the Migration System
My name is Alejandro Díaz Ortiz, I am a Puerto Rican artist, musician, songwriter, graphic designer and a filmmaker who...
Claudia Morales: Erlin Mejía – Walking the refugee’s destiny
Erlin Armando Mejia Andino landed in Sweden three years ago, he is a 25 years old Honduran-born human rights activist...
Joonas Maristo: Sananvapaus ja vastuu – tutkijan paikka vapaana?
Koronakriisi on opettanut meille ainakin kaksi asiaa. Ensinnäkin, maailma voi muuttua ja sitä voidaan muuttaa hyvin nopeasti. Toiseksi, kriisin vaikutukset...
Judyth Hill: The Hand That Holds the Pen Can Rock the World
I believe in Writers. Because we can speak softly and loudly and not carry a big stick. Because we can...
Yaseen Ghaleb: Cc: NO BODY
Cc: NO BODY 2020, Yaseen Ghaleb 1 Have you heard the voice of rose? Open your glass ears, release your...
Tom Dodd: The UK is committed to promoting the rights of LGBT people
The UK is widely recognised as a global champion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) rights. We are committed...
Veera Tyhtilä: Sananvapaus ja oikeistopopulismi
Niihin aikoihin, yli vuosikymmen sitten, keskustelin erään tuttavaporukan kanssa usein libertarismista. Erityisesti oikeistolibertarismista, eli ideologiasta, joka kannattaa henkilökohtaista ja taloudellista...