Protests over inequality persist in Chile, with artists involved, despite government crackdowns and ongoing unrest in 2025
The Georgian government has been accused of detaining, assaulting, and fabricating charges against prominent cultural figures in a bid to silence dissent and consolidate authoritarian control.
Recognizing champions of human rights and democracy—submit your nomination by 1 February 2025.
Abdullah Alkafri, head of the Syrian cultural organization Ettijahat
Abdullah Alkafri calls for cultural and artistic sectors in Syria to actively contribute to political and social transformation by building institutions capable of supporting change. Alkafri urges participation in the constitutional reform process to influence legal frameworks regarding cultural associations, unions, and education systems, ensuring they function independently from state control.
Iranian singer Amir Tataloo's death sentence sparks global outcry over blasphemy and freedom of expression
Submit your nomination for Index on Censorship's 2025 Freedom of Expression Awards by March 7, 2025.
Mozambique artists rally for peace, urging dialogue to end violence after disputed 2024 elections.
Art museums lack policies, leaving them vulnerable to rising censorship threats and external pressures, according to a new report made by PEN America, the Association of Art Museum Directors, and Artists at Risk Connection.
The Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression (AFTE) has condemned the General Egyptian Book Organization’s (GEBO) decision to bar ElMaraya for Culture and Arts from participating in the 2025 Cairo International Book Fair without providing any explanation
Once banned in Syria, Stars in Broad Daylight resurfaces as a symbol of artistic resilience
UC Berkeley's "A Counter-Imaginary in Authoritarian Times" project is a significant initiative aimed at confronting artistic and academic censorship. The $2.6 million grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation will fund this multi-year, interdisciplinary effort to address the complex challenges posed by modern forms of authoritarianism and censorship.
Artists played a crucial role in Dhaka's fight for freedom during the recent student-led revolution in Bangladesh. The creative community utilized various art forms to express dissent, inspire change, and document the struggle against oppression.
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
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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.
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
PANAF is seeking writers from The Gambia, Zambia, and Kenya to focus on the following topics:
The Emerging Generation of Socially Conscious Artists: Profiling leading socially conscious artists
Economic Empowerment through Art: Highlight initiatives and artists who are using their creativity to generate income, support local economies, and empower marginalised communities
