For første gang hedrer Raftoprisen en kunstner. Budskapet er at kunst kan være et viktig verktøy i kampen mot autoritære regimer. Anerkjennelsen av Otero Alcántaras arbeid minner oss om at kunstneriske rettigheter er menneskerettigheter – og de må beskyttes

We are happy to announce that the Rafto Prize 2024 has been awarded to Cuban artist and activist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, in recognition of his courageous resistance to authoritarianism through art. Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara is the first Rafto Prize laureate whose activism is rooted in artistic expression. His work stands as a profound example of how art can be a vital tool in the fight for artistic rights and freedom of expression, making this year’s award especially meaningful within the arts sector.

2023 was marked by severe conflicts, such as those in Sudan and Gaza, alongside political tensions fueled by extremism and threats. It was a perilous year for anyone voicing opinions on war, politics, challenging tradition, or critiquing the powerful—artists were no exception.

Ettijahat is excited to announce two new support programs designed to empower Arab artists and art collectives residing in Europe: the Rawabet Programme and the Zad: Miles for Connection Programme. Both initiatives aim to enhance the presence and mobility of Arab artists within the European cultural scene.

The ZAT (Temporary Artistic Zone) is now transformed into a dynamic multimedia digital magazine. Emerging from the rich tapestry of Dream City Festival and the pioneering efforts of L'Art Rue, ZAT has always been a platform for bold artistic expressions and civic struggles. This innovative edition encapsulates the memorable encounters, dialogues, and collaborations of recent years.

The Nordic Culture Fund is a relatively new player in the financing of international projects. In the past, such investment has belonged to the member states' foreign policy, while the fund has supported projects between the Nordic members. In their newsletter from June, it is the ventures between the Nordics and the rest of the world that are given attention. This is interesting reading and an exciting development.

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Ettijahat unveils the second book in its 2021-2022 Research Programme to Strengthen the Culture of Knowledge, titled "A Decade of Arts." This edition features four insightful research papers by Nour Asalia, Tala Shams Eddin, Shama Elrashhed Babeker, Mohamad Abdulrahman Hasan, and Zaher Alkaei.

Published in collaboration with Mamdouh Adwan Publishing House, this book is one of three examining Syrian artistic production, set against the backdrop of cultural transformations in the Arab region. Supported by the Arab Fund for Culture and Arts (AFAC) and the Arab Council for the Social Sciences, these papers delve into the complexities and future prospects of Syrian arts amidst ongoing regional changes.

The research programme of Ettijahat has been supported by Mimeta since its inception.

For more details from the interesting Newsletter June edtition, visit Ettijahat

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AuthorLitangen

PANAF is seeking writers from The Gambia, Zambia, and Kenya to focus on the following topics:

  1. The Emerging Generation of Socially Conscious Artists: Profiling leading socially conscious artists

  2. Economic Empowerment through Art: Highlight initiatives and artists who are using their creativity to generate income, support local economies, and empower marginalised communities

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AuthorLitangen

The 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are crucial to Mimeta’s vision and approach to the idea of cultural development and artistic freedom. They are precisely emphasising how Mimeta can promote democratisation and the implementation of human rights. The SDGs also influence the structures of monitoring and evaluating within programmes of Mimeta

One of the strategic discourses given much attention by our partners relates to this significant role of the arts and storytellers, in shaping our understanding of the world around us. In contemporary terminology this understanding is defined as the narratives we relate to. For our partners the possible shaping of changes in these narratives is a primary motivation for their work, according to a survey Mimeta did among partners in 2022.

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AuthorLitangen