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The Freemuse Award for Freedom of Artistic Expression is given annually to artists, activists, organizations, cultural institutions and multimedia platforms from anywhere in the world who have contributed significantly to the protection and promotion of artistic freedom: challenging artistic censorship, exposing the threats, etc., the ways of defending and promoting this human right are varied, especially in those contexts where it is strongly attacked: either by the authorities of authoritarian states or also by specific groups that act independently of the state apparatus but still they endanger the integrity of the application of this right for the people. To name a few of the previous award winners: Afghan Women's Orchestra, Zohra; Belarusian rock musician Lavon Volski; and the Kurdish musician Ferhat Tunc.
CADAL is a civil society organization committed to the promotion of human rights and international democratic solidarity, fundamental factors of political and moral support for those countries, groups and individuals that on a daily basis experience repression and political persecution of all kinds. Accordingly, the organization has nominated the “artivists” of the San Isidro Movement (MSI) of Cuba for their innovative work and great effort in facing the coercive measures of the Cuban government. Furthermore, the movement played a key role in returning the attention of opposition activism in Cuba to local issues, since in the context of the 2020 US presidential elections, the debate was diverted for a few months - especially between October and November - towards the repercussion that those foreign affairs would have on the Cuban dictatorship.
CADAL has nominated the MSI for its drive and innovation in dealing with repressive dictates from the Cuban government. Since its formation in 2018 to confront the provisions of the controversial Decree 349, the movement has shown that it is possible to integrate art and activism in the same group that is solid enough to discern and fight peacefully against the dictatorial government that governs Cubans. The results of their activism -expressed through art exhibitions, campaigns, debates and meetings- made possible the exchange of more diverse opinions with organizations and other groups internal and external to the country. Thus, its activities brought with them the beginning of the metamorphosis of the traditional moral vision that defines a revolutionary in Cuba.
Freemuse, the entity that organizes the Award for Freedom of Artistic Expression, is a non-profit organization born in Copenhagen focused on the defense and promotion of freedom of artistic expression around the world and in assisting artists at risk. Since 2012, it holds a Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), providing information, guidance and data resulting from its periodic monitoring.
