Salman Rushdie Returns to Public Life at PEN America Gala

Salman Rushdie made a poignant and unexpected comeback on Thursday night, gracing the annual gala of PEN America and delivering the closing speech as he accepted the PEN Centenary Courage Award. This marked his first in-person appearance since being repeatedly stabbed and hospitalized just nine months ago.

Addressing the hundreds gathered at the American Museum of Natural History, Rushdie, 75, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to return. He received a standing ovation from the audience. The event marked a significant milestone for Rushdie, who had not attended a public gathering since the attack during a literary festival in Western New York last August.

Rushdie, whose attendance was kept secret until the gala, spoke briefly and dedicated part of his speech to those who came to his aid at the Chautauqua Institution. He expressed deep appreciation for fellow attendee Henry Reese of the City of Asylum project in Pittsburgh, who courageously tackled the assailant. Rushdie also thanked other individuals in the audience who intervened during the incident.

Accepting the award on behalf of his rescuers, Rushdie emphasized their heroism, stating, “I was the target that day, but they were the heroes. The courage displayed was all theirs, and I am grateful to them for saving my life.” He concluded his speech by proclaiming, “Terror must not terrorize us. Violence must not deter us. The struggle goes on.”

Since the late 1980s, Rushdie has faced threats following the publication of his novel “The Satanic Verses,” which was condemned by Iran’s Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini as blasphemous. The Ayatollah issued a fatwa calling for Rushdie’s death, prompting the author to live in hiding. Despite being able to travel freely in recent years, the attack had compelled Rushdie to maintain a low profile, communicating primarily through Twitter and prepared statements. Earlier in the week, he delivered a video message for the British Book Awards, where he received a Freedom to Publish prize.

While Rushdie’s presence at the gala brought him joy, his voice sounded weaker than before, and he wore a dark frame concealing the eye blinded by his attacker.

PEN galas are known for their blend of literature, politics, activism, and celebrity, attracting notable figures such as Alec Baldwin and Sen. Angus King of Maine. Additional honorees at the event included “Saturday Night Live” producer Lorne Michaels and imprisoned Iranian journalist and activist Narges Mohammadi, who received the PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award.

In a letter read aloud during the ceremony, Mohammadi, currently in prison, appealed to writers and sympathizers to help the Iranian people overcome the grip of the Islamic Republic and end their suffering.

Colin Jost, head writer of “Saturday Night Live,” served as the host for the evening, injecting humor into the occasion by joking about the perceived risks of being in the same room as Rushdie. Jost also briefly mentioned the ongoing Hollywood writers strike, which led to the temporary hiatus of “Saturday Night Live,” noting the disorientation of participating in a picket line before attending the gala.

PEN events are familiar territory for Rushdie, who formerly served as the organization’s president. He has frequently attended such gatherings in the past and played a role in establishing PEN’s World Voices Festival, an international event featuring author panels and interviews held in conjunction with the gala.

Salman Rushdie’s unexpected presence became the standout moment of a busy month for PEN, the organization dedicated to literary freedom and expression, which found itself embroiled in various controversies.

PEN and Penguin Random House made headlines on Wednesday by suing a Florida school district over its removal of books addressing race and LGBTQ+ identities. Additionally, writer Masha Gessen resigned as vice president of the PEN board after a World Voices panel with Russian dissidents, which she was set to moderate, was canceled due to objections from Ukrainians attending a separate PEN event.

Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos, who was slated to receive the PEN America Business Visionary Award, announced last week that he would not attend the gala due to the ongoing writers strike. Netflix has faced significant criticism from union members during the strike, yet the company was acknowledged as a prime sponsor of the dinner ceremony.

John Mulaney, a former writer and performer on “Saturday Night Live,” presented Lorne Michaels with the PEN Literary Service Award. This prestigious accolade, previously awarded to luminaries such as Stephen King, Stephen Sondheim, and Salman Rushdie, recognizes Michaels’ unparalleled contribution as a novelist and essayist. Michaels dedicated his speech to the writers and writing room of “Saturday Night Live,” portraying writers as both whimsical and brilliant, the beating heart of the show.

Describing writers as akin to “paper airplanes” and “monkeys” due to their unpredictable and humorous nature, Michaels also highlighted their brilliance and sophistication. He emphasized that the writers’ room of “Saturday Night Live” is a space imbued with a slight whiff of freedom that is felt when laughter fills the air—a room that holds immense allure.

PEN’s recent events have underscored its ongoing commitment to promoting free expression and addressing pressing societal issues, making Rushdie’s unexpected appearance a powerful symbol of resilience and the enduring importance of literary voices.