April 27, 2010 | American Museum of Natural History | New York City

The 2010 PEN Literary Gala is PEN’s largest source of unrestricted support, providing crucial funding for its work to secure the liberty of persecuted and imprisoned writers around the world, to defend freedom of expression wherever it is threatened, and to promote literature and international cultural exchange. The PEN Gala draws attention to imprisoned writers of conscience who are in particularly dire circumstances through the presentation of the PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award. The PEN Literary Service Award is also presented to a writer whose critically acclaimed work helps us to understand the human condition in original and powerful ways. 60 Minutes correspondent Steve Kroft will serve as master of ceremonies.