(New York) – Today marks the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. PEN America’s Freedom to Writer Center (FTWC) and Artist at Risk Connection (ARC) remains resolutely committed to supporting Ukrainian artists, writers and other cultural professionals.
“Culture is the main target in this war, and the destruction of hundreds of places where Ukrainians experience their culture and history is key to President Putin’s goal of completely destroying Ukrainian identity. We hope that by raising awareness of this campaign and documenting the devastation, we can play our small part in ensuring that these crimes are not forgotten when the time comes for accountability.” said Liesl Gernholz, director of the PEN/Barvey Write Freedom Center.
“Through every brushstroke, photograph and creative concept, Ukrainian artists serve as guardians of the country’s rich history and culture, ensuring the continued vibrancy and evolution of Ukrainian art well into the distant future. doing. Allowing them to continue creating is an act of solidarity and a powerful form of resistance against the program of cultural erasure targeted by President Putin,” said Julie Trevor, Artist Director at Risk Connection. Ta.
December 2023 FTWC submitted to Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine to Attacks on Ukraine’s cultural infrastructure.The filing referred to the PEN America report. Ukrainian culture under attack: Russian war against Ukraine erases Ukrainian cultureThis book was published a year ago in partnership with PEN Ukraine and has become a must-read for anyone who wants to better understand the destruction on the ground. short video What was attached to the report.
Thanks to your generous support, Helen Frankenthaler Foundation and andy warhol foundationArtist at Risk Connection was launched. Emergency and recovery fund for visual artists of Ukraine As of January 2024, ARC has awarded 393 emergency grants for humanitarian expenses, totaling US$415,359. In addition, ARC awarded him 57 resilience grants (for small projects) totaling US$66,953.
Our sister organization PEN Ukraine has recorded the following deaths: 96 artists (Note that this is probably only a fraction of the total deaths).
About Artist at Risk Connection
Artists at Risk Connection (ARC) is a project of PEN America dedicated to supporting artists in crisis and strengthening the networks and organizations that support them. If you or someone you know is an at-risk artist, Please contact Arc.
About Pen America
PEN America sits at the intersection of literature and human rights, protecting open expression in the United States and around the world. We recognize the power of words to change the world and champion the freedom to write. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and protect the freedoms that make it possible.Learn more about pen.org.
Contact: Dietlind Lerner [email protected]