The second edition of the PANAF Summit is set to take place between 14 and 16 February 2025, in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Themed Art, Civic Engagement, and Movement Building, the 2025 summit will focus on collective strategies for censorship board reform, building networks of artist residencies, and improving support for at-risk artists, particularly in times of protest, social movements, and conflict.
The 2025 summit builds on the themes and discussions of the first edition, which highlighted the important connection between artistic freedom and human rights. Held between 9 and 10 February 2024, the event brought together artists, policymakers, and stakeholders from across Africa and Europe to discuss the urgent issue of artistic freedom. Participants shared stories, challenges, and celebrated progress in creative expression. These early discussions now form the basis for advancing plans in 2025, focusing on changing restrictive systems and building networks to protect artistic creativity.
Fumba Chama, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth, Sport, and Arts in Zambia, as well as a well-known artist and activist, opened the 2024 summit with an inspiring keynote about the strong link between artistic freedom and human dignity. He praised positive changes by his government, such as repealing harmful laws in Zambia and creating policies to help artists, including social security programs. However, his message came with a reminder that despite these achievements, the fight for full creative freedom is far from over.
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Source: PANAF
