Through the Free to Create (F2C) initiative, the Council of Europe seeks to consolidate its longstanding commitment to the right to freedom of artistic expression in Europe. This is achieved by drawing attention to the significance of arts and culture for democratic life and their interrelation with the right to freedom of expression, as expressed in Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Since taking up his position as Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset has emphasised the importance of culture on numerous occasions. He has highlighted culture’s vital importance to our societies, as well as the important role of culture in the Council of Europe’s future action for the revitalisation of democracy.

Through the different pillars of the F2C initiative, the Steering Committee for Culture, Heritage Landscape seeks to emphasise that human rights are indivisible, and that freedom of artistic expression (FoAE) is an important human right. Therefore, it needs to be protected from abuse in any shape or form, because restrictions to freedom of expression and artistic freedom affect the whole of society, bereaving it of the vitality of its democratic process.

The thematic session focused on the following issues related to the freedom of artistic expression in Europe:

• The importance of freedom of artistic expression – why it matters;
• The impact of the current political climate in Europe on freedom of artistic expression;
• The main identifiable or “under radar” threats to the FoAE;
• What can policymakers do to disseminate Council of Europe principles within their member state? What are the best practices aimed at protecting the FoAE that can be shared?
• What is the state of play of the European Court of Human Rights case law on the topic?
• Which further actions can the Council of Europe envisage to support the FoAE in partnership with member States’ policy makers and cultural actors?

The thematic session’s open debate was organised around the presentations of the following experts:

State of the Art

Sara WHYATT, Research Director Freemuse, Council of Europe expert on the Freedom of Artistic Expression

5. Presentation of the Thematic Report on Freedom of Artistic Expression
5. Council of Europe report on the freedom of artistic expression:
   Free to Create – Defending Artistic Freedom in times of Conflict and Crisis

Aysegul UZUN MARINKOVIC, Deputy Jurisconsult, Registry of the European Court of Human Rights

5. Presentation on the right to Artistic Freedom through the case law of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)

Oliver GÖBEL, Association of the Compendium of Cultural Policies & Trends in Europe

5. Presentation of the conclusions of the Compendium’s work on Freedom of Artistic Expression

Action by Council of Europe

Katalin KRASZNAHORKAI, Art Historian, Author, Curator of the Council of Europe digital exhibition “Free to Create - Create to be Free”.

5. Presentation of the digital exhibition “Free to Create - Create to be Free” and the new discursive platform “Create to be Free”.

Subsequent open discussions gave CDCPP members, participants and observers the opportunity to contribute to the debate.

The CDCPP members, participants and observers were invited to prepare short interventions to enrich the debate of the 2024 Thematic Session on Freedom of Artistic Expression.