Barcelona to host the ICORN General Assembly in 2026

The decision was announced during a digital meeting on 24. April 2025, and officially by the President of PEN Català, Laura Huerga. Read her speech and welcome below.

Helge Lunde, ICORN Executive Director says:

“We are delighted that the City of Barcelona and PEN Català will host the ICORN General Assembly 2026. For three days, in Barcelona, colleagues, experts, partners, and friends from the extended network will come together to reflect on and inspire our future work for freedom of expression, creativity and solidarity. Barcelona has been a dedicated member of ICORN since the very beginning and a founding member of the organization when established in 2006. We are pleased and honoured to celebrate our 20 years anniversary in the City of Barcelona alongside PEN Català's 20 years celebration of their writers at risk programme.”

‍

Barcelona - A Beacon of Cultural Resistance: Announcement by Laura Huerga

‍

"It is with great excitement and responsibility that I announce that Barcelona will host the ICORN General Assembly from April20th to 22nd 2026, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of ICORN's founding and the 20th anniversary of the PEN Català Guest Writer program. In the context of growing censorship and repression of ideas, initiatives like ICORN are more essential than ever. This assembly will be a major act of cultural resistance and a demonstration of our strong commitment to freedom of expression.

I wouldlike to thank ICORN and its director, Helge Lunde, for the trust they have placed in Barcelona hosting the upcoming General Assembly. I would also like to express a special thanks to the City of Barcelona, which has maintained uninterrupted support for 20 years for the PEN Català Guest Writer program. This collaboration has been essential in providing refuge and support to persecuted writers, and without this commitment, we would not have come this far. We also thank the Government of Catalonia and the Barcelona Provincial Council for their ongoing support. I would also like to thank cultural institutions such asthe CCCB, which have already offered their spaces to host some of the congress’ activities.

Barcelona has always been a city of welcome. From its participation in the International Parliament of Writers in 1994 to the re-establishment of ICORN in 2006, the city has been a safe place for persecuted writers. Today, as a UNESCO City ofLiterature, we are committed to continuing to be a city of cultural resistance, supporting freedom of expression and human rights.

We have decided that the Assembly will take place just before Sant Jordi's Day,on April 23rd, because this festival symbolizes the power of culture and the word as tools of social transformation. A festival that reminds us that, even in the darkest times, ideas and words cannot be suppressed.

In addition, in October 2025, coinciding with Mondiacult in Barcelona, we will organize a pre-conference event to officially announce the ICORN General Assembly, a first moment to share, reflect, and prepare for this great gathering.

Barcelona awaits you with open arms, determined to continue defending freedom of expression and to be a beacon of cultural resistance. We will see you in 2026 to continue this important work.

Thank you very much."

‍

BARCELONA - PROGRAMA ESCRITOR ACOLLIT DEL PEN CATALÀ

Watch the film, get a taste of Barcelona and meet some of the writers and journalists hosted in the ICORN programme.

‍

‍