Open Culture Issues Declaration Calling for Legal Protection of Artistic Freedom

Bratislava, June 2 (TASR) - The Bratislava Declaration for Artistic Freedom, calling for the legal protection of artistic freedom, was formulated at last week's international conference in Bratislava, organised by the Open Culture platform, the platform's representatives have informed TASR. Its signatories have called on the European Union (EU) to create a European Act on Artistic Freedom, a legislative tool that would ensure that artistic expression, freedom of creation and the independence of cultural institutions would be systemically protected in member states. The signatories of the document are responding in this way to what they call a threat to independent culture and artistic freedom in member states. They demand the transparent and professionally managed allocation of public funds, legal certainty and independence for the management of cultural institutions and respect for a plurality of opinions, forms and themes in art. They also call for the protection of creators from discrimination. The declaration announces the setting up of an international working group that will prepare a draft European Act on Artistic Freedom in cooperation with EU institutions. In addition to the Open Culture platform, the declaration's signatories include the 'Antenna - Network for Independent Culture' and 'Students for Open Culture' initiatives along with several international organisations. ko/df