PEN Norway, the Norwegian branch of the international PEN family, defending freedom of expression and the right to read and write, is leading a global campaign to call for the immediate and unconditional release of the prize-winning Kurdish poet Ilhan Çomak.
Please consider writing a poem for Ilhan.
Ilhan has written 8 books of poetry in his 26 years in prison. We are calling for his immediate and unconditional release (he has four years left to serve) and have planned the following publications and events:
• the translation and publication of Ilhan's poems in English
• the publication of an anthology of poems written FOR and WITH Ilhan
• face to face advocacy at the Turkish Embassy, Oslo
• Ilhan's case will be raised with the Ministry of Justice during our September mission to Turkey
• the publication of a campaign booklet detailing Ilhan's case and giving examples and a critique of his poetry by the Turkish poet Haydar Ergülen
• an international meeting of PEN centres online to further disseminate his work
• a physical event and reading of Ilhan's poetry at a later stage in Oslo.
Please consider writing a poem for Ilhan. This will be translated into Turkish for him to read and will be published in our anthology due out in 2021. The anthology, entitled 'Anatomy of Freedom' is being edited by the Turkish poet and critic Erkut Tokman and the Welsh poet and Turkish translator Caroline Stockford.
If you wish to write WITH Ilhan this is also possible on a 'call and response' basis - one person writes the first 5 or so stanzas of a new poem and the other then finishes it.
To find out more about how to become involved, read the full letter from Caroline Stockford, Turkey Adviser, PEN Norway, which is attached under Associated Downloads on the right of the page.
There is also a website
ilhancomak.com which has some resources such as translated poetry and articles on his case.
If you have any enquiries, please contact Caroline Stockford
caroline@norskpen.no
Deadline: 31 October 2020