Cities of Refuge North America

May 30, 2008: Cities of Refuge North America expands its network of refuge cities; initiatives underway in Charleston, Cleveland, Burlington and Houston

April 10, 2008: Georgian writer Irakli Kakabadze is selected as the Fourth Writer-in-Residence at Ithaca City of Asylum

February 1, 2008: Skidmore College enters into a three-year sponsorship agreement with Cities of Refuge North America

January 25, 2008: Editor-in-Chief of Salmagundi Robert Boyers accepts appointment to the Advisory Board

January 24, 2008: Internationally renowned writer Elena Poniatowska accepts appointment to the Advisory Board

Seven persecuted writers from Cuba, China and Congo have been vetted and are awaiting placement. Click here to see how you can help.

Cities of Refuge North America aids persecuted writers around the globe by cultivating safe havens for them in North America, spaces where they may practice their craft freely, unfettered by censorship and political repression. Our work assists writers worldwide while enriching both communities and the literary landscape in North America.

SARAH MKHONZA
City of Refuge: Ithaca, New York

Sarah Mkhonza was forced to leave Swaziland in 2003 following a campaign of harassment against herself and her family. An outspoken voice for women’s rights under the monarchical Swazi regime, Dr. Mkhonza wrote newspaper columns for The Observer and The Swazi Sun that told of the daily struggles of Swazi women and children ejected from their land. (Click here to continue.)

HORACIO CASTELLANOS MOYA
Country of origin: El Salvador
City of Asylum: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
December 2006 - present

SYL CHENEY-COKER
Country of origin: Sierra Leone
City of Refuge: Las Vegas, Nevada
October 2000 - January 2003

REZA DANESHVAR
Country of origin: Iran
City of Asylum: Ithaca, New York
December 2003 - June 2006

ER TAI GAO
Country of origin: China
City of Refuge: Las Vegas
February 2003 - June 2006

SARAH MKHONZA
Country of origin: Swaziland
City of Asylum: Ithaca, New York
July 2006 - July 2008

YI PING
Country of origin: China
City of Asylum: Ithaca, New York
September 2001 - June 2003

MONIRO RAVANIPOUR
Country of origin: Iran
City of Refuge: Las Vegas, Nevada
July 2007 - present

HUANG XIANG
Country of origin: China
City of Asylum: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
November 2004 - September 2007

Click here to read more about the Writers

After reviewing the Writer Selection Process to see if you are eligible to apply, click here to send us your application materials or questions.