Romani PEN Officially Established with Overwhelming Support at the 92nd PEN International Congress

Romani PEN has been formally admitted to PEN International, establishing a new transnational platform for Romani writers, literature, language and freedom of expression. At the 92nd PEN International Congress, held under the theme “Writers at Risk in the Age of AI and Global Disorder,” the Assembly of Delegates overwhelmingly endorsed Romani PEN’s admission, with 96.3% of delegates voting in favour of its entry into the international PEN movement.

The result reflects the strong support and enthusiasm surrounding the creation of a PEN Centre dedicated to connecting and amplifying Romani literary voices internationally.

Romani PEN was presented to the Congress on 29 September, alongside three other aspiring Centres – PEN Asturias, the Italian PEN Roma Centre and PEN Sudan. Its admission was proposed by PEN Català and seconded by Swedish PEN, following the earlier unanimous approval of the application by the PEN International Board.

From an idea to an international network

The establishment of Romani PEN is the result of a process developed over the past two years through dialogue between ERIAC, PEN International and Romani writers and cultural figures from across Europe.

A decisive step was taken in March 2025, when prospective members gathered for a first hybrid founding meeting to discuss the vision, structure and priorities of a future Romani PEN Centre. The process continued with an in-person gathering in Berlin on 5 November 2025, on the occasion of International Romani Language Day, with the participation of PEN International Vice President Carles Torner. Founding members signed the PEN Charter and worked collectively on the principles and institutional framework of the emerging Centre.

Today, Romani PEN brings together 23 founding signatories from fifteen countries and professional backgrounds, including writers, poets, translators, linguists, journalists, academics and cultural practitioners.

In preparation for its admission to PEN International, the founding members and Steering Committee, in close consultation with the PEN International Secretariat, developed a Constitution, a three-year working plan and an assessment of the current situation of the Romani language. Following several rounds of consultation and revision, the institutional framework of the Centre was finalized and its application submitted to PEN International.

A transnational space for Romani literary voices

Romani PEN responds to the need for a sustained international platform through which Romani writers and literary professionals can connect across national borders, languages, dialects and different literary traditions.

The Centre aims to strengthen the visibility of Romani literature and authorship, contribute to the safeguarding and development of the Romani language in its diversity, encourage translation and literary exchange, and support writers and cultural practitioners committed to freedom of expression and the principles of the PEN Charter.

At the same time, Romani PEN recognizes the multilingual reality of Roma literary production. Roma authors write in Romani as well as in the many languages of the countries and communities in which they live. Rather than defining Romani literature through a single language or geography, the Centre seeks to create a shared space for this diversity of voices, experiences and forms of expression.

While ERIAC played a facilitating role in initiating and supporting the establishment process, Romani PEN is a self-governing PEN Centre, whose future direction, programme and priorities will be shaped by its members.

The beginning of a new chapter

Formal admission to PEN International concludes the establishment process, but it also marks the beginning of the Centre’s actual work.

In the coming months, the members of Romani PEN will gather to discuss the programme and priorities of the new Centre and identify ways of turning this international network into an active space for collaboration, literary exchange, advocacy, mentoring, translation, publishing and public programming.

One of the first occasions to continue this conversation will be the annual Safeguarding Romani Language Conference, taking place on 5 November 2026 in Strasbourg and online in a hybrid format. The gathering will bring together writers, linguists, academics, institutions and advocates concerned with the present and future of the Romani language and will offer an important context for the newly established Romani PEN community.

The 96.3% vote in favour of Romani PEN sends a powerful message of recognition from across the international PEN movement. More importantly, it opens a new space in which Romani writers can organize, exchange ideas and speak collectively within one of the world’s most significant international literary networks.

Romani PEN is now officially part of PEN International, and its work is just beginning.