World Writer's Day (03/03)

World Day of the writer is celebrated in almost all countries annually on March 3. The full name of this holiday is World Peace Day for the writer; it was established by the decision of the 48th Congress of the International PEN Club, which took place from January 12 to 18, 1986.

PEN was founded in London in 1921. Name of the organization — abbreviation formed by the first letters of the English words Poets — poets, Essayists — essayists, Novelists — novelists. Interestingly, the abbreviation in this case coincides with the word pen — translated from English — pen.

The idea of creating the organization belongs to the English writer Catherine Amy Dawson-Scott (Mrs. CA. Dawson Scott). The first president of the PEN Club was John Galsworthy. In 1923, the first international congress of the PEN Club took place in London, at that time pen centers were created in 11 countries. Today, similar centers operate in 130 countries.

This is an international association of writers that, as stated in the PEN Charter, « advocates the principles of freedom of information within each country and between all countries». Its members undertake to oppose the suppression of freedom of speech in any form in the countries and societies to which they belong, and throughout the world whenever possible.

PEN advocates for press freedom and against the arbitrary use of censorship in peacetime. PEN believes that humanity's necessary progress towards higher forms of political and economic organization requires free criticism of government, government and political institutions.

The holiday is celebrated in many countries around the world, not only by writers, but is also considered a professional holiday for all representatives of the «fourth estate» (Photo: photobank.ch, licensed by Shutterstock.com)

Because freedom involves voluntary restraint, PEN members are committed to opposing negative aspects of the free press such as false publications, deliberate falsification, misrepresentation, or tendentiously dishonest interpretation for political, group and personal purposes».

The holiday itself — World Writer's Day — is celebrated today in many countries of the world, and not only by writers, but is also considered a professional holiday for all representatives of the «fourth estate» — print media. Ceremonies for presenting various literary awards and honoring the most distinguished literary figures are often timed to coincide with this day.



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