Salman Rushdie Receives Honorary Award for Freedom of Expression from PEN America

The famous novelist of Indian origin, naturalized American and who lives in New York, received an honorary award from the defense group for freedom of expression and literature, PEN America, of which he was president. The 75-year-old intellectual, wearing glasses with a black lens on his right eye, was first photographed on the gala red carpet in the setting of the American Museum of Natural History near Central Park, in Manhattan. His presence had not been announced and he spoke, moved, to the 700 guests of the gala. PEN America, an association that works for freedom of expression has never been so “important“said Salman Rushdie, quoted in a PEN America statement.”Terrorism should not terrorize us. Violence should not deter us. The struggle continues“, he proclaimed in French, Spanish and English.