FOR the first time since its inception in 1921, PEN International, a worldwide organization of writers that seeks to promote literature and defend freedom of expression, will hold its 85th annual congress in Manila from Sept. 30 to Oct. 4, 2019, with the Philippine Center of International PEN (Philippine PEN) as host.

National Artist for Literature and Philippine PEN founder F. Sionil José said the event was “an occasion for us to show writers from different parts of the world our treasures.”