The Philippine Center of International PEN (Poets, Playwrights, Essayists, Novelists) will hold its 56th annual literature conference on Dec. 3-4 at the Multipurpose Room, 4/F, Henry Sy Sr. Hall, De La Salle University, 2401 Taft Ave., Manila.
Theme is Literature of Concord and Solidarity: The Writer as Peacemaker.
National Artist for Literature and Philippine PEN founder F. Sionil José will give a message. Jaime An Lim, award-winning writer and former dean of the College of Arts and Sciences of Far Eastern University, will be the keynote speaker.
PEN chair and National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera will deliver the Andres Bonifacio Lecture on Dec. 3, a special lecture in commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary of the national hero.
José Abueva, former president of the University of the Philippines, will deliver the José Rizal Lecture on Dec. 4, lunchtime.
Panelists and resource persons include Rony V. Diaz, Glenn Sevilla Mas, Raul Moldez, Arthur Casanova, Charlson Ong, Rebecca Añonuevo, Shem Salait Linohon, Marne Kilates, Macario Tiu, Mohammad Nassefh Macla, Don Pagusara, Christine Godinez Ortega, Santiago Villafania, Crispin Nacpil Cadiang, Telesforo Sungkit Jr., Kristian Cordero, Jun Cruz Reyes, Gutierrez Mangansakan II, Arnel Mardoquio.
PEN will be launching three anthologies: “Pens as Swords: The Philippine PEN José Rizal Lectures, 1958-2007” (Solidaridad Publishing), edited by José Victor Torres; “Peace Mindanao” (UST Publishing House), edited by Jaime An Lim; and “Lit Matters: A Manual for Teaching Philippine Literature” (Anvil Publishing), edited by Ronald Baytan.
“Peace Mindanao” and “Lit Matters” are projects under the Beacon Center Program, an outreach program of Philippine PEN, funded by PEN International and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.
Copies will be distributed free to public school libraries and public libraries across the country. The publication of “Pens as Swords” received the support of Endika Aboitiz.
Partners include Anvil Publishing, DLSU, DLSU Bienvenido N. Santos Creative Writing Center, Galerie Joaquin, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Solidaridad Bookstore, University of Santo Tomas Publishing House and The Varsitarian.
Writers and lovers of literature are welcome to the event. Admission is free.
Call 2541086; e-mail philippinepen@yahoo.com; visit www.philippinpen.ph.