Words Under Threat: Ak Welsapar and the Struggle for Freedom of Expression

Words Under Threat: Ak Welsapar and the Struggle for Freedom of Expression On May 21, the Swedish PEN report “Words Under Threat – The State of Literary Freedom of Expression in Sweden” was presented in Stockholm. The collection brings together writers, researchers, journalists, and experts — people standing at the forefront of the struggle for free expression — who share their perspectives on the state of freedom of expression, literary freedom, and the challenges facing modern society. The report describes how free expression is increasingly coming under pressure even in democratic countries. The authors address issues such as: censorship; self-censorship; hatred and threats; pressure against journalists and writers; transnational repression; political manipulation; restrictions on freedom of expression. In the foreword, writer and journalist Kerstin Almegård emphasizes that the struggle for freedom of expression must be carried out both nationally and internationally. Protecting voices that are under threat is also a way of defending democracy itself. Of particular importance for Turkmen society is the participation in this collection of our compatriot — the Swedish-Turkmen writer, journalist, and poet Ak Welsapar. For Turkmenistan, the name Ak Welsapar has long become a symbol of free thought, independent literature, and intellectual resistance against dictatorship. For many years, his books have been banned in Turkmenistan. His name itself has effectively been placed under an unofficial ban. Yet despite censorship and attempts to erase his work from public space, Ak Welsapar has become one of the most recognized Turkmen authors outside the country. In his contribution to the collection, Ak Welsapar describes the invisible barriers faced by writers in exile as they attempt to build a new life and preserve their creativity in another country. He writes about language difficulties, cultural isolation, the loss of audience, and the hardships faced by authors forced to leave their homeland because of political circumstances. According to Ak Welsapar, only genuine literary talent combined with deep dedication to writing can overcome such difficulties. Ak Welsapar writes in Turkmen, Russian, Swedish, and English. His works are published in Europe and are known to international audiences. Among his most notable works are: “Kobra” (Cobra) — a novel about fear, power, and the destructive impact of total control on society; “Legenden om Aypi” (The Legend of Aypi) — a work filled with historical and cultural images of the Turkmen people; “Detta mörker är ljusare” (This Darkness Is Brighter) — a profound philosophical reflection on unfreedom, exile, and human dignity; the English-language works “Death of the Snake Catcher” and “The Revenge of the Foxes,” which introduced international readers to the atmosphere of fear, censorship, and authoritarianism. Many of Ak Welsapar’s works focus on: dictatorship; the destruction of freedom of expression; fear within society; censorship; exile; human dignity; inner resistance; the fate of Turkmenistan and the Turkmen people. What is especially important is that Ak Welsapar managed to preserve the Turkmen language and independent Turkmen literature even while living in exile. At a time when independent culture and free journalism inside Turkmenistan have been nearly destroyed by censorship, this carries enormous historical and cultural significance. Ak Welsapar is the recipient of several international literary awards: the Sergei Yesenin Prize of the Writers’ Union of Russia (2012); the Gogol Prize of the Writers’ Union of Ukraine (2014); the Cultural Prize of Uppsala County in Sweden (2016). He is also an honorary member of PEN International — one of the world’s leading organizations defending freedom of expression and the rights of writers. In the report, the Chair of Swedish PEN, Andres Teglund, writes: > “If we cannot or do not dare to use our freedom of expression, it becomes toothless.” The authors of the collection warn about an alarming global trend in which freedom of expression and independent literature are increasingly coming under threat. At the same time, they urge people not to remain silent, but to defend democracy, human rights, and continue the struggle for free expression worldwide. For Turkmen civil society, this issue is especially relevant. For years, Turkmen journalists, bloggers, human rights defenders, and activists have faced: persecution; threats; censorship; bans; pressure against their families; transnational repression; disappearances and forced deportations. Against this background, the figure of Ak Welsapar acquires even deeper significance. He has become more than simply a writer. He has become the voice of free Turkmenistan. We would especially like to address Turkmen society, young people, students, journalists, and everyone who cares about the future of our country: Become familiar with the works of Ak Welsapar. These are not simply books. They are part of the national heritage of the Turkmen people. They are works that preserved truth at a time when truth itself was being suppressed. By reading Ak Welsapar’s works, one can gain a much deeper understanding of: how dictatorship functions; how fear destroys society; how freedom of expression is dismantled; why people begin to remain silent; how authoritarianism affects thought, culture, and human dignity. His books help readers see and understand what people in Turkmenistan were forbidden to discuss openly for many years. For many generations of Turkmen people, his work has already become: a symbol of resistance against fear; a symbol of independent thought; a symbol of memory; a symbol of truth. Writers like Ak Welsapar are true national treasures of a people. Freedom of expression begins with the right to speak the truth. And literature helps society understand itself, its past, and its future. https://www.svenskapen.se/rapport-hotade-ord https://reportrarutangranser.se/event/desinformation-pagar-journalister-i-skottlinjen/