Finnish PEN invites you to submit a text for the compilation A year of freedom of expression.
Finnish PEN will publish texts relating to freedom of expression from 52 writers during 2026. The texts may possibly also be published in the form of a printed book later.
The text should in some way relate to freedom of expression, but there are no other limitations when it comes to content. We are not looking for a stiff definition of freedom of expression, but encourage creativity and new perspectives. Nor are we looking for an exact legal or other definition of freedom of expression. The perspective can be absurd, harshly realistic, humorous, documentary or something else. We encourage originality at all levels.
We would like to receive text from poets, prose writers, essayists, writes of aphorisms, nonfiction writers, journalists, researchers, translators, cartoonists and illustrators – all who work with the written word. The aim is a compilation of many voices and various languages. We would like to receive short, two pages or less, texts or images, but do not have other requirements when it comes to form. Text in other than Finnish or Swedish will be translated to Finnish.
Freedom of expression is not a law of nature or static state, but the subject of continuous definition, discussion and challenge.
Presenting and tolerating different points of view are at the centre of putting freedom of expression into practice. A debate that respects the debating partner and has honest intentions strengthens democracy and civil society. The goal of the A year of freedom of expression-initiative is to create a forum for different and differing perceptions of the concept of freedom of expression. This may contribute to encouraging all of us to in-depth consideration of the foundations of our own opinions.
Finnish PEN is an international association of writers promoting freedom of expression founded in 1928. It is part of PEN International and according to its charter aims to defend and promote literature and freedom of expression everywhere in the world.
We would like:
– Short texts (max. 2 pages) relating to the theme: “Freedom of expression”.
– The text should be unpublished.
– If you have a translation to any language of your text, please submit that also.
– Send us a brief description of yourself, name, address and phone number.
The basis for selecting the texts:
– The text will be selected on the basis of artistic merit. In compiling the collection linguistic diversity and representation and number of different types of contributions will be taken into account.
– We would like to present contributors at different stages of their careers.
– The selection will be made by a working group consisting of current and former members of PEN Finland’s board.
We offer:
– A one-off payment of 200 euro for published texts.
– Translation of the text to 0-2 languages depending on the language of the original text.
– Through Finnish PEN the text will receive national and international visibility.
Timetable:
– Send the text by 31.8.2025 to vapaasanakirja@suomenpen.fi with the heading “Vuosi sananvapautta”.
– The decisions on selected text will be taken in November 2025.
– The texts will be published on Finnish PEN’s website during 2026.
– Questions and contact: vapaasanakirja@suomenpen.fi
The project is supported by Kopiosto.
