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
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...
Shashank Mane: From India to Finland: A PEN Legacy
Freedom of speech is a first amendment in the constitution of the United States of America. As an Indian-American living...
Mojibur Doftori: Gandhi’s East-West Synthesis and Its Relevance in the 21st Century
Why Gandhi? At the end of 2018, we have been witnessing a global trend of the rise of illiberal democracy....
Galal El-Behairy: Statement
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, My friends, it is with great sorrow that I...
Çiler İlhan: You killed / Öldürdünüz
You Killed You killed my mother. You killed my father: My uncles and my aunts. You killed my grandmother and...
Jamshid Barzgar: Border Guard’s Question
Border Guard’s Question Jamshid Barzgar What is the name of that bird? The one resembling a song on a...
Mojibur Doftori: Strengthening Universal Liberal Democratic Values: What the World Can Learn from India and Nordic Countries?
Fhe results of the 2016 U.S. presidential elections came as a shock to many people across the world. Donald Trump,...
Ahmed Zaidan: A Poet Sings for Life in Midst of Death…
…from the Dark Cellar, He Narrates His Story Umar Abdul-Nasser is an Iraqi poet from the city of Mosul northern...
Nasiba Hilal: A Day in the Life of an Ordinary Woman
She hears successive knocks on the door, and sounds of screams from the stree. She has just finished her prayer,...
Mojibur Doftori: International Mother Language Day
International Mother Language Day first initiated by UNESCO in 1999, has been observed throughout the world on February 21 every...
Mojibur Doftori: Global Islamic Extremism: Time for Muslims to Break Silence
Global Islamic Extremism: Time for Muslims to Break Silence In recent time, horrific atrocities on innocent people around the world...
Cathal Sheerin: Out in the Cold: Russia and the Sochi Winter Games
No Winter Olympic Games have been so eagerly anticipated by non-sports fans as those that will take place in Sochi,...
Aurélia Lassaque: Poèmes (French)
Poèmes – Aurélia Lassaque Lo rei de seda saura Engana l’aucelum e tuteja l’aura. Quilhat dins l’èrba salvatja A perdut...
Aurélia Lassaque: Langue occitane (French)
« Pacienta e brava, l’aranha occitana teis sa tela per engabiar la maranha e que las paraulas vièlhas encara un còp...
Solomon Hailemariam: An ancient country with ancient languages and literatures
Solomon Hailemariam Ethiopia is one of the most ancient countries in the world. The Ethiopian alphabet has been in use...
Nasrin Sotoudeh: A Letter to my Daughter
Your Strength was no Less than Mine While the U.S. PEN Association announced that they will be awarding Nasrin Sotoudeh...
Christopher Mlalazi: Autum Leaves. A novel excerpt
Chapter One Arms stretched over his head, and his mouth open in a half yawn, he is standing at the...