Three groundbreaking graphic novelists from Israel, India and Denmark sharpen their pencils to draw pictures and create stories beyond their countries and cultures that reach out to readers everywhere.

Free the Word! is the world literature festival of International PEN and will take place 14th-18th April 2010 in London. Its aim is to promote and celebrate the best international literature, by providing a platform for ideas and debate, bringing both high profile and emerging writers to a global audience.

One of the highlights of this year’s festival will be the Graphically Speaking event. For this event a panel will discuss the importance of the graphic novel and its place in literature. Danish Jakob Strid will participate in the event which will be chaired by legendary comic-book writer and critic Paul Gravett. Also appearing are Rutu Modan (Israel) and Amruta Patil (India). As well as discussing the graphic novel the participants will also be showing examples of their work.

Jakob Strid will also be appearing in one of the Felt Pen events, aimed at children and families, to talk about his role as a children’s writer. 

Taking the theme ‘Words, Words, Nothing but Words….?’ This years festival offers  readers’ a box of delights, ranging from events interrogating the nature of language to the rise of the graphic novel, from hearing the stories of international best-selling writers to listening to the voices of up-and-coming talents.

Free the Word! will take place at the Southbank Centre, Southwark Playhouse and Foyles Bookshop among other venues in London.  For more detailed information on all Free the Word! events please visit www.internationalpen.co.uk