Seventeen independent bookshops spread across the United Kingdom are coming together on Valentine’s Day to host events aimed at fundraising for the PEN Emergency Fund. The collected funds will be exclusively allocated to provide vital support to writers facing risks who are from or within Palestinian territory.

Organizers of the Valentines4Palestine campaign have announced that for every £1,000 raised, the PEN Emergency Fund will extend a critical emergency grant to a Palestinian writer in jeopardy. The events at the participating bookshops will feature captivating readings and showcase prizes generously contributed by publishing partners. All proceeds generated during these events will be channeled through English PEN, which will then transfer the entire sum to the PEN Emergency Fund, headquartered in Amsterdam.

Diverse bookshops, such as Bookbag in Exeter, bookhaus in Bristol, Burley Fisher Books in Hackney, the Hastings Bookshop, Mount Florida Books in Glasgow, and Paned o Gê in Cardiff, are actively taking part in this noble initiative.

A consortium of renowned publishers, including Fitzcarraldo Editions, Granta Books, Jacaranda Books, Lolli Editions, Out-Spoken Press, Tilted Axis Press, and Verso Books, have generously donated towards the cause. Their support is a crucial element in ensuring the success of the Valentines4Palestine campaign.

For those interested in contributing to this meaningful cause, additional details and the opportunity to donate can be found on the campaign’s GoFundMe page. As of the latest update, the campaign has already received £820 in donations, underlining the initial success and community support for this impactful initiative.