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Nordic Middle East Meeting
On Monday 14 January some researchers, journalists, musical and cultural producers from the Nordic countries gathered together at Södra teatern in Stockholm to inform each other about their work concerning music and the freedom of expression in the MENA region. It was an informal meeting with the purpose to exchange experiences and identify future collaboration possibilities. Read more
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VISA campaign continues
Freemuse continues the investigation of visa and work permit procedures for artists invited to events within Schengen and EU. The campaign is a collaboration with several international organisations and aims to influence policy makers and facilitate cultural exchange. Read more
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Sounds of Silence – Film screening and seminar in Malmoe
Saturday 23 February the Iranian film “Sounds of Silence” is screened during the film festival Music Doc in Malmoe, Sweden. “Sounds of Silence” is about the underground hip-hop scene in Iran and the screening is followed by a seminar in presence of Amir Hamz and Mark Lazarz, the directors of the film, and Ole Reitov from Freemuse. The event is collaboration between Music Doc, Freemuse and Salaam DK and is taking place in the movie theatre Victoria 3 – 5 p.m. Read more about the event
Sounds of Silence – Film screening in Copenhagen
Sunday 24 February the movie theatre Grand in Copenhagen, Denmark, is screening the Iranian film “Sounds of Silence” in collaboration with Freemuse. The film is about the underground hip-hop scene in Iran. Amir Hamz and Mark Lazarz, the directors of the film, will be present during the screening in Grand Theatret 24 February at 9.30 pm. Read more about the event
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Music Freedom Day
Monday 3 March is the second time Freemuse coordinates the yearly 'Music Freedom Day' where magazines, radio stations and tv broadcasters worldwide focus on music censorship. New this year is the invitation to musicians to take part in the event. In Norway, a concert and a seminar is organised on the day, and the plan is that the concert will be streamed on the internet as well as broadcast via satelite by public radio channels around Europe. Read more |
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Freemuse Award 2008
Another new feature in connection with the Music Freedom Day is the creation of the 'Freemuse Award'. The award is financed through a donation from the Björn Afzelius International Culture Fund, and it will be passed on to musicians, individuals or organisations that “have worked for freedom of musical expression in a remarkable way”. Read more
The Freemuse Award 2008 goes to the exiled Ivorian reggae star Tiken Jah Fakoly. Read more
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Music and resistance during apartheid
Thursday 6 March the Museum of World Cultures in Gothenburg, Sweden, is arranging a film screening of the documentary “Stopping the Music” in collaboration with Freemuse. The film is about musical censorship during the apartheid regime in South Africa. Marie Korpe from Freemuse is presenting the film and afterwards the audience gets to meet Roger Lucey and Paul Erasmus, the musician and the censor who are the main characters in the documentary. The event "Snuten, sångaren och den förbjudna musiken” takes place at Världskulturmuseet 6.30-9.00 p.m. Read more about the event
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Meeting the International Music Council
In April Freemuse held talks with the Advocacy Working Group and Board of the International Music Council, IMC, regarding common ground for projects that would suit both organisations and hopefully will open up for dialogue with countries/governments applying severe restrictions/censorship on music. Read more
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Campaigns in support of arrested musicians
In April and May Freemuse joined several campaigns in support of arrested artists:
 Cameroon: Lapiro de Mbanga and Joe La Conscience were arrested in Cameroon on 9 April and 20 March 2008 for criticising constitutional amendments allowing the country's president unlimited terms of office. Read more
China/Tibet: Singer Jamyang Kyi is reported to have been held without charges by Chinese authorities since 1 April 2008. International PEN fears that Jamyang Kyi may be held for her activism concerning Tibet. Read more
Myanmar/Burma: Win Maw, lead guitarist in the music group Shwe Thansin, was arrested by Burmese authorities on 27 November 2007. His arrest is thought to be part of the wider crackdown on pro-democracy activists. Read more
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General Assembly
In the beginning of September, it is time for the Freemuse General Assembly. Read more
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