PEN America Festival Returns After Gaza War Controversy

PEN America's World Voices festival is slated to return from April 29 to May 2, 2026, with events planned in both New York and Los Angeles. This iteration will feature writers from more than 140 countries, including notable figures like Judith Butler and Bill McKibben. The festival's return follows its cancellation in 2024, a decision made after numerous authors withdrew their participation. This withdrawal stemmed from PEN America's perceived failure to adequately condemn the war in Gaza, with critics asserting the organization had betrayed its commitment to peace.