Declarations on Freedom For Writers and Readers

Declarations On Freedom For Writers & Readers

£9.99

Category: Anthology
ISBN: 978-1-910895-42-9
Format: Paperback
Pages: 187
Price: £9.99
Release date: April 2020

‘It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours, that we are fighting, but for freedom – for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with his life’

Declarations of Arbroath, 1320

A message from Scottish PEN

This year marks the 700th anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath in which the Scottish nobility appealed to the Pope to support Scotland in the nation’s fight for freedom from ‘the rule of the English’. In these difficult times the need to hear and understand each other is as vital as it ever was. PEN International has been campaigning for freedom of expression for almost a hundred years and Scottish PEN has, since 1927, contributed to that international effort along with PEN centres throughout the world.

To commemorate this anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath Scottish PEN and Scotland Street Press have published an anthology of poetry and prose from over 50 writers on themes exploring freedom of expression. Awards were offered to three of the contributors and these were to be announced at a launch in Arbroath on 6 th April, the date of the 700th anniversary. Unfortunately due to the severe crisis with the coronavirus this event has now been cancelled although we hope to have another event as soon as it is feasible given the current restrictions.

Professor Emeritus Sir Tom Devine, has supported the project and written a preface to the anthology and has now given this statement. ‘ I was honoured to be invited to help to judge the entries for Scottish PEN’s writing competition to mark the 700th anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath and to select the three best submissions in poetry and prose. The Declaration is now regarded across the world as the most eloquent statement of the right to national self-determination ever written. What better way then to celebrate that ancient noble expression of human freedom than by asking the writers of Scotland to present their own views in 2020 on the time-honoured principles of that remarkable document and their relevance today?’

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Description

Declarations on Freedom for Writers and Readers – The Freedom to write and read.

Declaration on Freedom for Writers and Readers is an anthology of poetry and prose. This anthology explores freedom of expression. In fact, the year 2020 marks the 700th anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath. In the Declaration, the Scottish nobility appealed to the Pope to support the nation’s fight for freedom from ‘the rule of the English’. As a result, Scottish PEN and Scotland Street Press published this anthology. As well, the need to hear and understand each other is as urgent now as it ever was.

Scottish PEN conceived and realised this project. Scottish PEN has been campaigning for freedom of expression. This includes the free exchange of ideas. Because of this mission, Scottish PEN has been doing this across borders for nearly 100 years. As a result, they commissioned Scotland Street Press to publish this anthology.

Reviews

The National wrote about Declarations on Freedom For Writers and Readers that, “In these difficult times, PEN said the need to hear and understand each other is as vital as it ever was. PEN International has been campaigning for freedom of expression for almost 100 years.” To read more, check out our Press Clippings page.

About the Authors

Declarations on Freedom for Writers and Readers includes many voices, featuring some of Scotland’s leading writers such as Karen Campbell, A C Clarke, Carl MacDougall, James Robertson and Chitra Ramaswami. As a result, the diversity of these authors spans from Scotland to southern Africa, from Myanmar to Mexico, from Ireland to India.

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