PEN Centres sign statement during a regional meeting in Ukraine

Representatives of various PEN Centres - PEN Spain, PEN Basque, PEN Norway, PEN Slovenia, PEN International (WIPC), PEN Belgium, PEN Canada, and PEN Ukraine - gathered in Kyiv in October 2025. The meeting was organized by PEN Ukraine.

The visit of PEN Centres was a sign of solidarity with the Ukrainian resistance to the cruel Russian tyranny and war. The gathering took place despite regular Russian bombings of the Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, and occasional shortages of electricity, water and heat. The meeting was also held against the background of continuous losses of human lives that the Ukrainian society, including its creative part, suffers every day from the Russian aggression, either on the frontline or in civilian life. We mourn the victims of this aggression every day.

During the meeting, PEN Centres reaffirmed their decisive support of the Ukrainian resistance. They underlined the importance of culture during the war, the importance of cultural creation during the most difficult moments of human existence, and the universal value of this cultural expression. They underlined that these difficult moments show us again that culture is not a “superstructure” of human existence, but its deepest and most internal structure and foundation. Therefore, Ukrainian literature and culture should be heard around the world.

They also emphasized the importance of the solidarity of writers, journalists, and cultural actors around the world to support Ukraine in its resistance. Our common goal should be the Ukrainian victory and a just peace.

They also called other writers around the world to continue telling the story of the Ukrainian struggle for freedom, get information about it from trustworthy sources, counteract the pro-Russian propaganda and disinformation, and come to Ukraine physically to learn about the Ukrainian resistance and lived existence from their own experience.

Signed by:

Enrique Yeves (PEN Spain)
Laura Mintegi (PEN Basque)
Maja Gudim Burheim (PEN Norway)
Said Khatibi (PEN Slovenia)
Tomica Bajsic (PEN International (WIPC))
Vincent Engel (PEN Belgium)
Ira Wells (PEN Canada)
Volodymyr Yermolenko (PEN Ukraine)

_{* Photo by Said Khatibi}