The freedom of the press is considered a corner stone of democracy and numerous organisations work to protect and defend the lives and rights of journalists the world over, but what about those who aren’t journalists?
What about the poet who uses their art to bring attention to injustice? The cartoonist who drew something a regime did not appreciate? Or the novelist who wrote of things those in power believe should be best left alone?
The written word is a powerful tool and many around the world use it to bring attention to injustice in their communities, but who fights for them?
November 15th is the Day of the Imprisoned Writer, a day created by PEN International “to honor the courage of all writers who stand up against repression and defend freedom of expression and the right to information. On this Day of the Imprisoned Writer, PEN is focusing on five cases – one from each world region and each illustrating the type of repression that is brought to bear every day against those who question, challenge or expose official lies or who paint portraits of everyday lives through their writings.”¹
PEN (standing for Poets, Playwrights, Editors, Essayists and Novelists) was founded in 1921 by writer Catherine Amy Dawson Scott. What started with the aim to create “a common meeting ground for all writers”² morphed into a human rights organisation that aims to protect the rights and lives of literary practitioners around the world operating in 100 countries.
The JCU Library is celebrating its own connection to the PEN organisation with the release of the Letizia C. De Rosa Archive, available through JCU Library Special Collections.
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| Letizia C. De Rosa. Photographer Andrew Watson, 2005. Image supplied by De Rosa. |
The new Letizia C. De Rosa Archive is a tribute to one woman’s journey through North and Far North Queensland – as a teacher, writer, first-generation Australian, and only child of extraordinary migrants who built and owned a guest house for over 50 years in the centre of Cairns.
Themes covered in the archive include the history of Cairns and the NQ Italian community during the 20th century, the Book Creator's Circle (of which Letizia was the Director) and the written works of Letizia C. De Rosa.
The arrangement of the contents has been curated by the donor (Letizia) and is accompanied by a manuscript, 60 Treasured and Blessed Windows, which provides context and explanation of the significance of many of the items through a personal recount.
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| “Fun in the Sun’ Parade in Cairns. Photographer Mrs Mary Meoli, 1951. |
Letizia (a JCU alumna) was presented with the 2012 PEN Sydney Award by the then President, Professor Michael Fraser, at an event at the NSW State Library marking the international Day of the Imprisoned Writer. PEN Sydney, one of three Australian chapters of the global PEN network, was founded in 1931 by Ethel Turner, Mary Gilmore, and Dorothea Mackellar.
The PEN award was given in recognition of Letizia’s social justice values and those of PEN. Then, as a writer-cum-publisher, she learnt of the difficulties in the book industry for regional writers, so she founded the Book Creators Circle – a digital, international platform – which is now archived on the National Library of Australia's Pandora Website.
To see what is held in the Letizia C. DeRosa Archive, access the listing through NQHeritage@JCU (the online repository for JCU Library Special Collections).
To view the Archive make an online booking to visit the Helen Mays Reading Room in the Mabo Library, Townsville or contact Special Collections by sending an email to specialcollections@jcu.edu.au
References
1. PEN American Center. (2008, November 15). November 15, 2008: Day of the Imprisoned Writer.
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