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World Voices Festival Returns: Celebrating Literature and Humanity

3/19/2026

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Summary

Story summary

PEN America will host the 2026 World Voices festival, April 29–May 2, in New York and Los Angeles.
The festival will feature writers from 140+ countries, including Judith Butler and Bill McKibben.
It aims to unite people through literature and humanity.
The event follows the 2024 cancellation after backlash over PEN America’s Gaza stance.
Public activations include a mural by ArtLords, the Afghan artist collective, and an opening on democracy.

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Story summary

PEN America will host the 2026 World Voices festival, April 29–May 2, in New York and Los Angeles.
The festival will feature writers from 140+ countries, including Judith Butler and Bill McKibben.
It aims to unite people through literature and humanity.
The event follows the 2024 cancellation after backlash over PEN America’s Gaza stance.
Public activations include a mural by ArtLords, the Afghan artist collective, and an opening on democracy.