Two months after the brutal attack on Salman Rushdie, his friends and colleagues gather to celebrate his strength and dedication as a writer, activist, and a champion of free expression.

All in-person tickets for this event are fully booked. Tickets may still be booked to watch the event online, either live or within 48 hours on catch up.  Viewing links will be sent out shortly before the event.

The online version of this event will be live captioned.

The event will feature readings and reflections by speakers including Monica Ali, Mona Arshi, Julian Barnes, Melvyn Bragg, Mariella Frostrup, Meena Kandasamy, Hanif Kureishi, Nigella Lawson, Kathy Lette, Pauline Melville, Margie Orford, Philippe Sands, Burhan Sönmez and Alan Yentob.

It is organised by English PEN, PEN International, Index on Censorship, ARTICLE 19, Humanists UK, and Penguin UK, in partnership with the British Library and those close to Salman Rushdie. 

Photo of Salman Rushdie by Rachel Eliza Griffiths 

If you’re attending in person, please arrive no later than 15 minutes before the start time of this event. We are committed to the safety of our event bookers. Find out how we are welcoming you to the Library safely. 

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