Grammy award winning Los Tigres del Norte opens the 'Zentsuraren Aurkako Jaialdia' – the 'Festival Against Censorship' in Guernica, Spain – with a concert on 14 October. Other highlights of the festival are concerts with Congolese world music veteran Ray Lema and Algerian oud player Mehdi Haddab.

Inspired by the work of Freemuse the festival took off last year with concerts by Freemuse-connected artists such as Ferhat Tunç and Clotaire K.

As part of this year’s festival a Seminar on Freedom of Expression is organised on October 25, starting at noon at Bilioteca Bidebarrieta Liburutegia in Bilbao.

Freemuse is represented by Ole Reitov who will join a panel consisting of Ray Lema, Congolese satirical painter Cheri-Cherin, Algerian musician Mehdi Haddab, Norwegian singer Herborg Kråkevik and Miguel Angel Rodriguez from Radio Caracas Television.


Censored speakers

Mehdi Haddab, being of Berber origin, has during his whole life experienced how Berber culture has been censored and suppressed in his homeland, Algeria.

Norwegian artist Herborg Kråkevik made the headlines in Scandinavian media last year when Danish Band Outlandish according to media rejected to be seen on a Christmas tv show with Kråkevik showing her shoulders.

The seminar will discuss various issues of censorship

Film and concerts

The festival is organised by Producciones Serrano and will end on October 28 when Songlines editor Simon Broughton presents his film “Breaking the silence” and Ray Lema enters the Liceo Antzokia stage presenting his unique blend of music.

The opening concert at Teatro Arriaga Antzokia will see the legendary Los Tigres Del Norte – mentioned as “the most influential regional Mexican group” (Billboard) and “the genre’s greatest statesmen” (New York Times). Los Tigres Del Norte remain one of Latin Music’s socially outspoken voices, as they continue to sell millions of albums, and having received multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy Awards.