The Japan PEN Club: no more destruction of Ukrainian lives and culture

The Japan PEN Club affirmed their support for Ukraine and expressed their strong protest against Russian invasion in Ukraine. The statement was published on the official web-site of the Japan PEN Club.

«We strongly oppose the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It is absolute aggression, and a cowardly threat with reference to the use of nuclear weapons, an unacceptable violation of free speech, and a threat to world peace. As persons engaged in creative expression, we convey our anguish, our sorrows, and our joys. But we do not wish to write about the folly of a new war.

No more destruction of Ukrainian lives, culture, industries, cities, schools, and institutions, and no more needless loss of Russian lives and freedom. We wish for an end to the war», – said in the statement.

The joint statement was signed by Natsuo Kirino, the President of the Japan PEN club, Mariko Hayashi, the President of the Japan Writers’ Association, Natsuhiko Kyogoku, the Chairperson of the Mystery Writers of Japan Inc.

It will be recalled that the Polish PEN club, Moscow PEN club, Romanian PEN club, French PEN club, and PEN Georgia also expressed their support for Ukraine.

Besides, German PEN Centre fears that insanity will win if the world boycotts Russians.

In reply to this statement Andriy Kurkov, the President of PEN Ukraine, noted that despite the suggestions of international organizations to conduct online discussions on Ukrainian issues and the war with the representatives of Russian culture there will be no such discussions between Ukrainian and Russian writers.