<p>As we dive into the first day of the 2021 PEN World Voices Festival, we talk to virtual co-hosts Ayad Akhtar and Masha Gessen, who share their thoughts on a global virtual festival as we still contend with global crises. Then, we preview the week ahead for the festival—tickets are on sale at pen.org/festival.</p>

As we dive into the first day of the 2021 PEN World Voices Festival, we talk to virtual co-hosts Ayad Akhtar and Masha Gessen, who share their thoughts on a global virtual festival as we still contend with global crises. Then, we preview the week ahead for the festival—tickets are on sale at pen.org/festival.

Festival Day One: Masha Gessen, Ayad Akhtar, and the PEN World Voices Festival

As an organization that's all about the literary community, PEN America knows that the ongoing health crisis is hitting our Members and friends particularly hard. The PEN Pod is meant to provide regular updates and conversations about literature and free expression, and provide an outlet for literary celebration as in-person events remain few and far between.

Join the conversation online at pen.org and on our social channels @PENAmerica. Thanks for tuning in.

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As an organization that's all about the literary community, PEN America knows that the ongoing health crisis is hitting our Members and friends particularly hard. The PEN Pod is meant to provide regular updates and conversations about literature and free expression, and provide an outlet for literary celebration as in-person events remain few and far between. Join the conversation online at pen.org and on our social channels @PENAmerica. Thanks for tuning in.

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Festival Day One: Masha Gessen, Ayad Akhtar, and the PEN World Voices Festival

Festival Day One: Masha Gessen, Ayad Akhtar, and the PEN World Voices Festival