The 2015 PEN Literary Gala

The PEN Literary Gala is a uniquely moving and exhilarating black-tie event featuring distinguished American and international writers. It provides crucial funding for PEN’s work to secure the liberty of imprisoned writers worldwide, defend freedom of expression, and promote international cultural exchange. The PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award is granted to an imprisoned writer of conscience in particularly dire circumstances, the PEN/Toni and James C. Goodale Freedom of Expression Courage Award is presented to a hero of freedom of expression online, and the PEN/Allen Foundation Literary Service Award honors a critically acclaimed writer whose work illuminates the human condition in original and powerful ways. This year’s recipient will be Tom Stoppard. The Publisher Honoree will be Penguin Random House CEO Markus Dohle.