Writer's PEN Conference Pays Off in Intangibles

For published writers with two books to their credit, PEN, the international organization for writers who honor literary excellence and believe in supporting persecuted and imprisoned writers, is a rewarding organization. Perhaps you already know about this writers' organization which promotes freedom of expression but don't know all the opportunities it offers you, especially the right to attend the International PEN Congress.

To start with the future: In 2007, PEN members will be able to attend the International PEN Congress in Dakar, Senegal. In 2008. Oaxaca, Mexico will host the PEN Congress. In 2009, it's likely if the past is a good predictor that PEN will hold its Congress in Europe.

Once at the Congress, besides the chance to mingle with writers from more than100 countries, PEN activists can sit in on committees like the Women Writers Committee, Writers in Prison Committee, and the Translation and Linguistics Committee. Besides, for the more touristically inclined, there are special tours of the host city besides the many special literary events held in distinguished local settings.

Here's how it worked for me at this year's congress held in Berlin, Germany, my second International PEN Congress I attended. The first time, I traveled by bus five hours to attend the 2004 PEN Congress held in Mexico City but this time I combined attending the PEN Congress with a month's trip to Europe.

As the hotel list PEN provided at its Internet site looked expensive I arranged my own accommodations. I may have had fewer opportunities for socializing but I still had enough. Besides my hostel was right near the historic old zigzag line separating East and West Berlin.

This year's International PEN Congress registration fee was 240 euros, about 300 US dollars. The registration fee includes participation at all events, bus transportation to and fro (one of the best opportunities for socializing)and lunches every day - otherwise food was a major budget item in Germany. However, it is possible to attend the literary events (except the principal address) by paying only a small event fee. An example was the night of readings by African writers at the elegant Berliner Ensemble. Registered participants were eligible for a guided boat trip through the waterways of central Berlin and a trip to the old royal palace at Potsdam.

Here is my own list of highlights at this year's International PEN Congress:

Perhaps most important for me, when I attend an International PEN Congress I am among people who value what I value, the written word and freedom to use it. Many of the writers present have been willing to or needed to exile themselves from the country where they were born. I was also among writers in more fortunate circumstances who work conscientiously for the all too large number of writers who are political prisoners.

Hearing German Nobel Prizewinner Gunter Grass speak about "Writing in an Unpeaceful World." I listened to a simultaneous interpretation in English through headphones most of the time, taking them off only to hear Grass' voice as he read poetry

Being present to hear a "hot" Scottish writer, A.L. Kennedy, read from her work.. My knowledge of what's out there in the literary world has definitely expanded. A book of translations was useful in listening to writers who read in languages I didn't understand

Taking the optional boat ride on the river Spee and canals through Berlin past many of its main architectural and historic sites. The German PEN organizers had arranged for a well-versed, witty historian, Robert Graf, as our English-speaking guide.

Knowing that my own language, English as the lingua franca, the common language of many writers - even writers whose books come out first a national language that with only a small audience. A PEN member doesn't have to know Finnish or Hausa to talk and listen. At the same time, seeing the important, widespread role of translation is in the literary world

Talking informally with many writers about politics, their country, my country and its government, books or just small talk. It's not everyday that I sit next to a leading Croatian poet at lunch or that an Italian writer living in Switzerland exchanges views with me about Grass's speech.

Of course, I didn't spend every moment in Berlin thinking of myself as a writer. While I was in the city, I also saw several remnants of the Berlin Wall, went to a stunning photographic exhibit near my hostel, ate apple strudel served with both custard and ice cream, and indulged my interest in architecture by walking through the neighborhood of worker housing designed in the 1920s by architect Bruno Taut.

For a published writer with a passion for justice, quality and the power of friendship, at least once in a lifetime consider making an International PEN Congress your destination.

Three takeaways:

PEN holds an International Congress every year.

Some of the world's most distinguished writers take part.

Supposedly solitary writers can be gregarious at the Congress.

PEN stands