Who Belongs? Stories Against a Narrowing World

All PEN World Voices Festival tickets are non-refundable. Please confirm the time and location of your event before finalizing your purchase.

Globally, political and cultural forces are aligning to narrowly define national identities. Surging book bans, the outlawing of languages, the erasure of histories from official records, and the censorship of words increasingly limit who belongs and delineate who is other. Literature subverts that. 

For the festival’s closing night event, PEN America President Dinaw Mengestu will convene prominent international writers to discuss how literature champions a diversity of cultures and reflects the multiple heritages, customs, and traditions we all carry. Joining Mengestu in this vital conversation are Tash Aw (The South), Susan Choi (Flashlight), Patricia Smith (The Intentions of Thunder), and Madeleine Thien (The Book of Records). 

The 2026 PEN World Voices Festival is a celebration of world literature and free expression. The 2026 edition will be the 21st World Voices Festival. Over four days, more than140 writers from over 40 countries will be featured in 40+ engaging talks, panels, readings, and activations in New York City and greater Los Angeles.

Visit for more information about the entire festival, as well as PEN America.

Judson Memorial Church is an accessible venue. The back door (243 Thompshon St) has elevator access to the space.

ASL interpretation is available for this event by request only. Please reach out to our Box Office team at [email protected] by April 15th to request.

Please ask a Box Office Attendant or festival representative upon arrival for directions to accessible seating if preferred.

For further information on accessibility in this space, or to make a request, please contact [email protected]

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