People of San Miguel: Lucina Kathmann, Words Have Power

By Natalie Taylor

Difficult times can either break or strengthen, and often what rises from adversity is a positive beginning. With the world deeply bruised by WWI, writer Catherine Amy Dawson searched for a way for writers to unite, since nations had failed to do so. “We must talk to one another,” she wrote in her letters addressed to writers everywhere, encouraging them to break the wall of hatred that had been left behind by the war.

On October 5, 1921, the PEN Club—the acronym for Poet, Playwright, Editor, Novelist—held its initial dinner in London. Almost fifty writers attended that first event, “a fellowship not of politics, but of letters.” Among those present were John Galsworthy, George Bernard Shaw, and Joseph Conrad, all noteworthy writers. The PEN idea was so well received that, within a year, many similar centers sprang up all over European countries, as well as one in New York. In 1923, John Galsworthy, president of the organization, started the first International Congress inviting members from all PEN Centers.

PEN International began in San Miguel de Allende in 1978, but the organization was not very active until Celia Wakefield, its founder, went to New York for that year’s congress. She was impressed and brought back many ideas, and when an article about the organization appeared in Atención in 1985, many joined. Together with Lucina Kathmann, whom I interviewed, and Carmen Masip, who provided a physical space in Bellas Artes for meetings and events, they began to bring speakers who addressed relevant topics, including the arts, Mexican history, and freedom of expression. Although started as a non-political organization, the rise of the Nazis in Germany, and of fascism in Spain and Italy, made remaining apolitical impossible. In 1931, the PEN London Committee issued a formal protest against imprisonment for political or religious reasons. This led to the expulsion of the German PEN Center because it failed to protest book burning and anti-Semitic propaganda. In 1938, PEN members condemned all forms of persecution: “We want nothing better than to leave politics alone, providing that it leaves us alone,” they declared, affirming their stand against governments that persecute and infringe on freedom of expression.

Through its 100 years of existence, PEN has protected writers held in prison and even sentenced to death. It now has a network of Centers around the world and continues to support writers, particularly those in countries or regions where writers face threats.

Lucina Kathmann, VP emerita of PEN San Miguel, was born in Albany, New York, received a BA in philosophy from Harvard and an MA at Northwestern University. She taught philosophy for a few years and then pursued her dream—dance. She met San Miguel dance teacher Mascha Beyo, who invited her to San Miguel de Allende. Lucina felt at home in San Miguel, loved Mexican culture, and felt that she was understood by the residents. Lucina has published essays, poetry, translations and children’s stories in magazines, anthologies, and other venues. PEN International helps writers by offering camaraderie, moral support, defense against threats to personal freedom, and financial aid if warranted. According to Lucina, San Miguel suffers from a lack of recognition of the PEN SMA Center. Although the largest global writers’ association with 12,000 members, many are not familiar with it and of its presence here: “There are people who need us but don’t know about us.”

She is currently a cultural promoter through a monthly publication called “Ecos Interiores,” which publishes worthwhile literary works in Spanish, often translated into English. Another important issue is the defense of writers who are threatened by governments because they speak out. PEN International has campaigned for and secured the release of numerous writers, notably the Nigerian playwright Wole Soyinka, who was freed in 1967 due to PEN’s efforts and later went on to win the Nobel Prize, as well as the help they have given to Salman Rushdie for many years.

The most important task, according to Lucina, is to continue supporting writers and their freedom to express themselves. Whether at the local, state, or international level, writers can count on the backing of PEN International as a place to connect to other writers, to work for peace around the world, to guarantee their personal freedoms of expression, and to speak out against injustice. As Lucina says, “Word is the weapon.”

If you are interested to join or simply want information, contact Lucina at: lucina.kathmann@gmail.com

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