The World Organization  of Writers (WOW) is a global platform dedicated to fostering literary cooperation across cultures, languages, and continents. The organization  continues to expand its reach and horizons. After the successful hosting of its first Congress in Abuja, Nigeria, WOW is now preparing for its second Congress, which will take place in Moscow on September 20–21, under the umbrella of the World Public Assembly.

Under the inspiring motto “We Are the People of One Planet”, the upcoming Congress will bring together prominent figures of world literature to participate in seven parallel round tables. Each table will focus on key aspects of global literary culture — from translation and publishing to education and dramatic arts.

It is highly likely that, for the first time, all WOW Prize laureates will gather at the Congress. In what has now become a tradition, the WOW flag will be passed on — this year from Nigeria, represented by writer Wale Okediran, to Russia, represented by the poet and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Alexandra Ochirova. On the final day of the Congress, we will learn the names of the next WOW Prize laureates and the country that will host the third WOW Congress in 2026.

We sat down with Margarita Al, President of WOW and the visionary leading this ambitious initiative, to learn more about the Congress, its goals, and the broader mission of the organization  in building a unified literary future.

Margarita Al, President of the World Organization  of Writers (WOW)

 “A writer is someone who sees the soul within language.” — Margarita Al

1. For those who may not yet be familiar with the World Organization of Writers, could you briefly introduce WOW and its core principles?

Margarita Al: The official details about the organization’s creation, its history, development prospects, global reach, structure, board, laureates, the Supreme Literary Council, and partners — all of this is comprehensively documented on our website: http://wow-lifft.com. Welcome to our online home of WOW.

But the true essence and living soul of WOW are — first and foremost — the writers themselves. These are the individuals who perceive the soul within language. WOW is a union of a certain caste of people. It does not matter what language they speak, write, or think in, or which country they live in, or what passport they carry — they are united by an invisible internal framework, a unique construct of biological and spiritual nature, in which creativity is not a function, but a mode of existence.

Their core skill, vocation, and source of fulfillment is the mastery of the word, through which the world gains new meaning and a moral-spiritual narrative. Remove this small group of people, and human civilization would become a mute, amoral society, bent on destroying itself and the planet.

We should not only list endangered languages in the Red Book of UNESCO, but also include the figure of the writer — an endangered species of homo sapiens capable of preserving the integrity of the world through the power of the word.

WOW is a space for the rehabilitation of the writer and the discovery of kindred spirits in terms of worldview and planetary thinking. And especially today, it is crucial that writers become aware of their mission — their responsibility in preserving cultural and ethical codes.

1. What inspired the creation of WOW, and what role do you see it playing in the modern literary world?

Margarita Al: WOW as an organization  is the result of the intuitive development of a project to unify literary space. There were several stages along the way. That we are now a world organization  was neither planned nor predicted. Everything evolved naturally — by choosing the path of least resistance, with the freedom to pause, to change course, to make a leap, to adopt unconventional decisions, to compromise, or to proclaim a manifesto of new creative ethics.

I believe this very freedom of choice and action, the novelty, the creativity, the geographic breadth of our interaction, and our multilingual audience — all these factors draw attention to WOW and continually increase the number of writers on our platform.

Today, the WOW Prize is one of the most prestigious. Works are accepted in six world languages. The Congress is held in the country of the WOW Prize Laureate. The next stage of development is regular representation of WOW at international book fairs.

1. The first WOW Congress was held in Abuja, Nigeria. What key takeaways or successes would you highlight from this historic event? How did the experience in Abuja shape the preparation for the second Congress?

Margarita Al:

The first Congress in Abuja was truly historic. We brought together writers from 89 countries, established the WOW Board of Directors, ratified the core points of the memorandum—humanism, a new creative ethic—announced the first WOW Prize winners across four language groups, and built partnerships with African writers’ unions. This experience gave us confidence and clarity: the world needs platforms like this.

In Nigeria—a country with a different cultural tempo—we found an immense response and an organic understanding of the importance of the Word. What was born there were not only ideas, but also relationships—personal, professional, and profound. We heard how different the voices of world literature sound, and yet how much they have in common.

This experience showed us: the world is ready for a new literary architecture, where East and West are not antagonists, but different rhythms of the same heart.

In Moscow, we will apply all the best practices, strengthen the program, and expand the circle of participants.

III.           The second Congress will be held in Moscow under the motto “We are the people of one planet.” Why did you choose this timeless theme for your event, and what does it mean to you?

Margarita Al:

We truly are the people of one planet, yet for a long time we’ve been living as if at separate addresses—fragmented, weary, enclosed in our own algorithms and news bubbles. And suddenly we ask ourselves again: who are we to each other—neighbors, enemies, or co-creators of the world?

The Congress in Moscow is a conscious and well-planned act by writers: the creation of a laboratory of shared spiritual atmosphere, kinship, and brotherhood.

Regardless of language, religion, or culture, we live on one planet—and literature is one of the few realms where this unity is still possible. We speak to the world in the language of feeling, image, and meaning—and we call on everyone to see the human in each other.

Concrete proposals are already being received to expand our mission: to place the figure of the writer at the center of the humanist process as a subject of worldview architecture, to view the literary text as a form of spiritual navigation in a world where logic has been replaced by algorithm, to develop writers’ laboratories within WOW, where the future can be reflected upon before it turns into mere statistics and more proposals are on the table.

The Seven Round Tables

1. Seven round tables are planned simultaneously. Could you explain how this format fosters engagement and dialogue?

Margarita Al:

Yes, this is our strategic format—our little literary Babylon. We are organizing seven simultaneous round tables, seven themes, seven directions that do not compete but resonate with each other. Each has a moderator and a strong group of speakers.

In the first part (90 minutes), participants discuss their topic in a professional circle. In the second part (another 90 minutes), each table delegates a representative to present the conclusions and answer questions. This creates a lively, horizontal dialogue and enables practical decisions.

This is not a “sit-and-dispersal” format. It’s “we met—and launched a movement.” Dialogue as a form of thought. We expect writers from over 100 countries to participate.

1. The topics range from translation to dramaturgy and education. How were these themes chosen, and why are they especially relevant today?

Margarita Al:

We didn’t choose “what’s trendy,” we chose what hurts.

Translation—because without it, we remain culturally isolated. Young writers—because without them, the word has no future. Universities—because meaning needs an environment. Media and literary journals—because the writer’s voice must be heard. Festivals and publishers—because the book must reach the reader. Dramaturgy and cinema—because the word must move. Writers’ unions—because even a genius cannot survive alone.

These are the spheres where literature lives, evolves, and engages with society. We want each participant to find their place and an opportunity for collaboration.

The Seven Round Tables