What is Artistic Freedom to You?

Promoting respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms of expression is a pre-requisite for the creation, distribution and enjoyment of diverse cultural expressions. This diversity can not be guaranteed if the freedom to imagine and create is under threat. It can not be guaranteed if citizens are not free to participate in cultural life. It can not be guaranteed if artists are unable to travel freely, to work on common projects or associate with their peers in other countries. Every year there are thousands of songs, paintings, plays, dances or books that are censored, vandalized or destroyed. Book fairs, film festivals and museums have pulled “offensive” works from their programmes. There is a global rise in the number of threats to artistic freedom, in digital surveillance and online trolling, putting an increasing number of artists at risk. Such threats generate important cultural, social and economic losses to society. It deprives artists of their means of expression and livelihood. It deprives citizens of their right to participate in the cultural life of their choosing.