P.E.N. Zentrum deutschsprachiger Autoren im Ausland

Brief von Irène Bourquin an Huang Jinqiu

Zurich, 15. December 2007 – Letter No.1

Dear Huang Jinqiu

I am a member of the PEN Centre of German Speaking Writers Abroad which is a member of International PEN, the international association of writers that started in Britain and which works to help writers who are imprisoned around the world. PEN’s office gave me your adress and I hope you will accept my greetings from Zürich in Switzerland.

I want to assure you that I and many other people are interested in your well-being and in getting you released from prison as soon as possible. We have protested your imprisonment, and will continue to do so. Please take some hope from that.

I am author of poems, short-stories, plays and radio plays. For twenty years I worked for a Swiss newspaper as a journalist and editor. I wrote a lot of newspaper articles about books, theatre, art and history. In our town there is a well known museum, where I have seen several art exhibitions from the old China.

If you are able to reply to my letters, you can write to the address below at any time. I will treat your letters confidential if you wish. Please also let me know if there is something particular that PEN can send you, such as books, magazines, an English-dictionary or if your family needs something we might be able to send.

With great respect for your courage and achievements,
Very sincerely

Irène Bourquin