Tag Archives: Eastern and Western European States, USA, Canada

Visa refused for dancer and choreographer Mariam Diarra (Mali)

December 21, 2015UncategorizedAfrican States, Eastern and Western European States, USA, Canada, personal caseACAR

Visa problems for artists from non-EU countries have increased within the last weeks. On 18 December Malian artist Mariam Diarra, whose skills and reputation have been established for over 20 years, was refused an entry visa on the French territory for a concert and a masterclass at the Africolor festival (Seine-Saint-Denis). The reasons were remarkable: The Vice-Consul in office did ask Miriam a “certificate of non-pregnancy” because she had “a little belly”. In the pretext of the refusal was the certificate of non-pregnancy considered as a fake and the will to return to Mali within the visa expiration dates would be less probable.

Sébastien Lagrave, director of the festival Africolor has denounced the behavior of the consular authorities as crossing the red line of attack on human dignity. The French Republic “s’abaisse à des pratiques de bio-pouvoir qui sont contraires aux droits les plus élémentaires de la personne humaine.”

Source: Radio France International

Belarus’ counter-extremism laws used to restrict free expression

December 14, 2015NewsEastern and Western European States, USA, Canada, NewsACAR

Like more and more governments worldwide, Belarusian authorities are using antiextremism legislation to silence journalists and human rights workers. The threat for free speech lies in the broad definitions of “extremist activities” and “extremist materials”. Under Belarusian law, extremist activities include “degrading of national honor and dignity”. Such provisions are contrary to international standards of freedom of expression. This concerns the work of critical artists to a high degree. Organisations are reporting during the last months several “counter extremism” activities against journalists and artists.

Article: Index on Censorhip

Miha Turšič 16 days on hunger strike for Cultural Centre KSEVT in Slovenia

October 17, 2015NewsEastern and Western European States, USA, Canada, News, personal caseACAR

After seven years of financial cuts in Slovenian culture, the co-founder of the Cultural Centre of European Space Technologies (KSEVT) in Vitanje/Slovenia, went on hunger strike on 1st of October. The Slovenian theare magazine MASKA declared his demands as “the demands that consider the entire cultural field in Slovenia: demand for competent decision making, demand for proper state of cultural institutions, demand for financing of culture that would be sustainable and according to needs and possibilities of the Republic Slovenia.”
October 16 Miha got the demanded support for KSEVT and ended his hunger strike. In his final press release he said: “Let the case of KSEVT be taken as a warning by political decision-makers: it demonstrates that art and culture are fragile qualities of humanity. There is always too little humanity, so we shall always demand more.”

Source:
https://jaccusesite.wordpress.com

Anti-Censorship Theater Event… Censored?

May 19, 2015NewsEastern and Western European States, USA, Canada, NewsACAR

A benefit event for the National Coalition Against Censorship is abruptly called off after the theater hosting the show deemed some of the content offensive. Playwrights For A Cause, presented by the Planet Connections arts festival, was to feature new works by Erik Ehn, Halley Feiffer, Israel Horovitz and Neil LaBute, along with discussions about censorship and inclusion in the performing arts. It was scheduled for June 14 at The Sheen Center in New York City, with the proceeds to benefit the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC). The show was canceled this week, especially, because of LaBute’s play “Mohammed Gets A Boner” and some remarks of some of the panelists who were scheduled to speak about censorship issues.

Source: Anti-Censorship Theater Event… Censored? | National Coalition Against Censorship

Director of Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theater fired for insulting religious feeelings

April 20, 2015NewsAsian and Pacific States, Eastern and Western European States, USA, Canada, NewsACAR

The Wagner opera “Tannhauser”, which was updated for a contemporary audience by director Timofei Kulyabin, was premiered in December 2014. The Novosibirsk Orthodox Diocese has called on the Federal Security Service, Prosecutor General and Investigative Committee to conduct an objective investigation into the activities of anyone connected with the “Tannhauser” production. End of March, Boris Mezdrich, the director of the Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theater has been fired by Minister of Culture Vladimir Medinsky. The minister appointed the director general of St. Petersburg’s Mikhailovsky Theatrer, Vladimir Kekhman, as the new director.
Many theaters from across the nation have sent their letters to Novosibirsk law enforcement agencies and officials, voicing support for the production. The independent Teatr.doc, raided by police in December last year (and luckily celebrating a house warming party at their new address at Razgulyay Sqare in February) organized a solidarity action for “Freedom of creativity” on April 5th in Moscow.

Sources: The Moscow Times, Russia Beyond the Headlines

ARJ Winter Camp

January 19, 2015UncategorizedEastern and Western European States, USA, CanadaACAR

The Artists Rights Justice group, since last year supported by Culture Action Europe, met for its first Winter Camp on January 23 – 24 in Brussels. Ann Mari and Thomas from ITI-ACAR joined the event and met activists from other artists and human rights networks, and shared experiences, possibilities and challenges.