World Press Freedom Day: UNESCO to host conference promoting artistic freedom

In wake of World Press Freedom Day on May 3rd, UNESCO will through panel discussions pinch at the need to maintain artistic freedom in the region.

Ethipioan art which dates back from the 4th century till the 20th century has various artistic fervour from a different group of societies. From the Christian art form to modern art, Ethiopia has witnessed different traditions. From centuries-old paintings, crosses, icons, illuminated manuscripts to recent form of crafts such as textiles, basketry and jewellery, Ethiopia clearly knows how to stay connected to its roots.

To celebrate and boost artistic freedom, UNESCO at the occasion of World Press Freedom Day on May 3rd will put the spotlight on artistic freedom issues through discussions with different nations to celebrate freedom of creation and artistic expression to help societies grow and end years of despair that have seen in Ethiopia during long time war with neighbouring Eritrea.

In the wake of World Press Freedom Day on May 3rd, UNESCO will hold panel discussions to deliberate on the need to maintain artistic freedom in the region. UNESCO says that the need is to establish free, independent and pluralistic media for creative sectors and democratic societies to function.

Event to watch on

Under the topic "Media for Democracy", World Press Freedom Day 2019 will address the current challenges faced by media in elections. The global conference, jointly organized by UNESCO, the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the African Union, will take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (1-3 May 2019).

In addition to the two-panel discussions, UNESCO will also organize a two-day national workshop (1-2 May) for civil society organisations and government officials from Ethiopia on policies and measures to promote and monitor artistic freedom. The workshop will be facilitated by Ole Reitov, former Executive Director of Freemuse and member of UNESCO's Expert Facility.

Topics to be discussed

• "Artistic freedom and freedom of expression at the tip of the pen" co-organized with Cartooning for Peace, invites cartoonists from around the world – Ivory Coast, South Africa, Ethiopia, Sudan, France, Denmark and Malaysia – to discuss the role of artists in electoral contexts, on 3rd May.
• "Enlarging choices: Artistic freedom and Diversity of Contents" addresses the role of new cooperation and exchange platforms, increasingly used to counter mobility restrictions that artists face.

Panellists

The panellists who bring together international perspectives are Danielle Cliche, Chief of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (UNESCO), Brahim El Mazned (Morocco), Director of Visa for the Music festival, Henok Mebratu (Ethiopia), Film Director, and Meaza Worku (Ethiopia).

The activities organized during World Press Freedom Day are implemented within the framework of the UNESCO-Aschberg programme for artists and cultural professionals, a programme which focuses in particular on the promotion of mobility of artists and artistic freedom through research, advocacy and technical assistance.