FREEMUSE
Freedom of Musical Expression (FREEMUSE) is an independent, international non-governmental organization (NGO) based in Copenhagen, Denmark. It aims to investigate, document and denounce all types of music censorship occurring all over the world. Founded as a result of the first Conference about Music and Censorship in 1998 in Copenhagen, Freemuse defends the freedom of expression for musicians and composers victims of censorship operated by political, religious, and educational systems and or families. This organization claims the opportunity for musicians to be part of the cultural life of the country they belong to, according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, that provides the organization with its guiding principles.
FREEMUSE estabilished his Secretariat in 2000 and in 2011 it took part in the creation of an international network (ARTSFEX) that links different organizations politically active in defending freedom for all artistic expressions. Freemuse cooperates with The International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN) which gives protection to the artists and all the conditions to work safely.
The work developed by Freemuse converged in different types of publications about the ways censorship acts in different countries: reports, books and CD’s, but also production of movies. Freemuse’ website collects also different interviews of musicians victims of censorship and it publishes news to give voice to the fights of artists all over the world.
FREEMUSE organises campaigns which support musicians and composers oppressed or in risk of oppression. It also informs the appropriate authorities about censorship cases and give visibility to musicians throught festivals, conferences and by organizing every year an event called Music Freedom Day. This organization helps musicians to have legal and financial support.
FREEMUSE receives funding from The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Fritt Ord Foundation and from The Denmark Centre of Culture and Development (CKU). (Information taken from the website freemuse).
www.freemuse.org www.artsfreedom.org www.artsfex.org
