Linton Kwasi Johnson wins
PEN Pinter Prize 2020

'a poet, reggae icon, academic and campaigner, whose impact on the cultural landscape over the last half century has been colossal and multi-generational'
Claire Armitstead

We're thrilled to tell you that this year's PEN Pinter Prize winner is one of the world's foremost poets, Linton Kwasi Johnson.

Johnson is described as being ‘unwaveringly committed to political expression in their work' by the PEN Pinter Prize judges: The Guardian’s Associate Editor for Culture and English PEN Trustee Clare Armitstead; Dialogue Books Publisher Sharmaine Lovegrove, and author Max Porter.

‘I feel I came into the world with the sound of political and cultural activism from Linton Kwesi Johnson work ringing in my ears. His powerful words and energetic passion have guided me and many others to always interrogate and push forwards against the status quo.'
Sharmaine Lovegrove

'He has been fearless, and relentless, but tragically his message is now more important than ever, given the Windrush scandal and the ongoing systemic demonisation of the immigrant population and racial minorities in the UK.'
Max Porter

Johnson will receive the award in a digital ceremony co-hosted by the British Library on 12 October, marking what would have been Harold Pinter’s 90th birthday.

During the ceremony, Linton Kwesi Johnson will announce his co-winner, the International Writer of Courage 2020, selected from a shortlist of international cases supported by English PEN. The recipient will be an international writer who is active in defence of freedom of expression, often at great risk to their own safety and liberty.