http://www.pen.org/page.php/prmID/1096

Praise for the PEN Literary Festival.  This event has drawn writers from all over the world and provides them with a platform to express their perspectives, culturally and individually, to a receptive audience.  As we continue to develop the global community we recognize that our relations may only be established, developed and sustained through understanding.  Events such as this provide the opportunity for the greatest number of people to be exposed to the greatest diversity of perspectives for the principle aim of understanding.  There are no greater ambassadors for any culture than the individuals who have dedicated their lives to master their art of articulating the ideas and experiences of their lives and communities.  This is truly a great event.