Earlier this fall, PEN Belarus received the 2025 Hiroshima Prize for its work defending free voices, awarded by the Edita and Ira Morris Hiroshima Foundation for Peace and Culture. The award is presented to individuals and organisations that contribute to cultural life and promote dialogue, understanding, and peace in areas of conflict. This year, the prize honours PEN Belarus for its courageous work. In the Jury’s announcement, PEN Belarus is described as:
“a beacon of resistance, defending freedom of expression, cultural identity and the rights of writers and artists at great personal and collective risk.”
The Hiroshima Prize Ceremony took place in Stockholm, where the Foundation recognised PEN Belarus for their moral courage, intellectual resilience and commitment to human dignity. Executive Director, Iryna accepted the award alongside PEN Belarus Chair Taciana Niadbaj onsite in Stockholm.
From resistance to recognition
After the ceremony, the Swedish Institute (SI) had the opportunity to interview Iryna, an SI Leader Lab alumna, about the award, her connection with Sweden, and her work with PEN Belarus.
The award is an important moment of recognition for PEN Belarus, symbolising hope and resilience for a community under pressure, Iryna shares.
For many years, the organisation has stood by writers, journalists and artists facing censorship and persecution in Belarus. Founded in 1989, PEN Belarus is an independent cultural and human rights organisation and a part of PEN International, a global network of over 140 centres worldwide, championing literature and defending free expression. Forced into exile in 2021, PEN Belarus now operates from Warsaw, Poland, continuing their mission. Iryna explains:
“Our goal is simple: to protect those who give Belarus its voice – and to make sure that voice is heard.”
Rebuilding in exile through partnerships
Iryna reflects on the years leading up to the Hiroshima Prize and the support that made a difference.
Between 2023 and 2025, PEN Belarus received funding through the Swedish Institute’s Creative Partnerships Programme, which provides support for Swedish organisations and their international counterparts to collaborate on projects promoting democracy, human rights, and freedom of expression.
“It was a lifeline that arrived at a critical moment, a help that went far beyond financial aid. It was solidarity – a reminder that we are not alone in the fight for culture and freedom of expression.”
The partnership gave them the stability to rebuild their team in exile, explore new ways of working, and remain connected to the outside world. It also opened the door to collaborate with PEN Sweden on a project mapping Belarusian literature abroad and supporting cross-border literary events.
Leadership development in exile
To address the challenges facing PEN Belarus, Iryna applied to the SI Leader Lab, a leadership programme for civil society leaders in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Her goal was to strengthen her leadership skills and build new connections. The programme helped her deepen her advocacy work and expand her international networks.
Throughout the leadership training programme, Iryna often connected the learnings to her own team and the internal challenges they face.
“It strengthened my belief that leadership is about empathy, trust, and shared responsibility. Connecting with leaders who face similar struggles helped me see our situation in a broader context and believe even more in the power of cooperation.”
Building on these insights, the programme also provided Iryna with a stronger foundation for her leadership:
“It made me more strategic and confident in leading a dispersed team in exile, balancing vision with resilience, structure, and genuine care for people.”
Solidarity beyond borders
Looking beyond her own leadership growth, Iryna sees the connections and the networks formed through Swedish partners as a source of strength.
“We always feel the humanity and genuine support of our Swedish partners. That means a lot, both personally and professionally. The main lesson for us is that solidarity works.”
Learn more about SI’s leadership programmes, project funding and grants
SI offers leadership programmes, project funding, and grants designed to build strong, lasting networks and foster mutual learning through meetings, education, and cultural exchange.