City of Asylum: An Oasis of Artistic Freedom
In the heart of Pittsburgh lies a refuge known as the City of Asylum, a beacon for endangered writers worldwide. This non-profit organization, founded in 2004, provides sanctuary to writers who face persecution in their home countries due to their controversial work.
The Birth of City of Asylum
The City of Asylum was born from a desire to combat censorship and protect the freedom of speech. Founders R. Henry Reese and Diane Samuels got their inspiration from a speech by Salman Rushdie, an author who himself faced exile for his contentious writings. They decided to create a sanctuary for endangered writers in Pittsburgh, joining the global initiative, the International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN).
The First Author in Residence
The first author to find refuge in the City of Asylum was Huang Xiang, a Chinese poet who faced death sentence in his home country due to his involvement in the Democracy Wall Movement. Huang Xiang and his wife, Zhang Ling, were provided with a safe haven, which included free housing, medical benefits, and a living stipend.
The Journey to Alphabet City
In 2017, the City of Asylum pivoted an old Masonic lodge into its main headquarters, christened as Alphabet City. This venue goes beyond serving as an administrative office; it is a cultural hub that comprises a bookstore, a restaurant, and an event space. All events at Alphabet City are open to the public and free of charge.
The Mural Houses
City of Asylum is not just about words; it’s also about visual arts. The organization provides residences to exiled writers, and these houses have become pieces of art themselves. Over the years, five houses on Sampsonia Way have been transformed into murals, each bearing the unique imprint of the resident author.
The Literary Events
Each year, City of Asylum hosts more than 175 cultural and literary events, which are free and open to the public. One of the most notable events is the Jazz Poetry Month, a fusion of music and literature that started as a single concert in 2005 and has since evolved into a full month of performances.
The River of Words
An exiled Venezuelan writer and artist-in-residence, Israel Centeno, initiated the River of Words, a public art installation. The project invited the neighbors of Mexican War Street to display a chosen word relevant to Pittsburgh on their houses’ walls, doors, or windows. The words were artistically designed by Venezuelan artists Carolina Arnal and Gisela Romero.
The Sampsonia Way Magazine
In its fight against censorship, the City of Asylum publishes a magazine called Sampsonia Way. The publication focuses on English translations of exiled writers’ works, celebrating the freedom of expression in literature.
The City of Asylum in Pittsburgh Tourism
The City of Asylum has made its mark in Pittsburgh’s tourism landscape. It features prominently on VisitPittsburgh, a website that guides tourists to the city’s attractions. The City of Asylum’s listing on the site details the organization’s vision, mission, and the various activities it hosts.
The Future
In the face of challenging times, the City of Asylum continues to stand strong, ensuring that the voices of persecuted writers are heard loud and clear. It remains committed to its cause of providing sanctuary to endangered writers, enriching the cultural landscape of Pittsburgh, and strengthening the global fight against censorship.
From a former crack house on Sampsonia Way to a vibrant cultural center at Alphabet City, the journey of City of Asylum Pittsburgh has been remarkable. It has not only provided a sanctuary for endangered writers but has also created a thriving community for readers and neighbors. It stands as a testament to the power of words, the importance of freedom of speech, and the resilience of the human spirit.
