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Description
In recent years, the culture and art sector has been subjected to restriction of artistic freedom and politicized to an unprecedented degree. Artists are attacked for their work and promoting diversity or minority rights. Independent institutions do not receive state funding for activities when they are not aligned with the party line (for example Festiwal Malta), while state cultural centers, which to date were open and inclusive, have been drastically reorganized, with a change of management (for example the Centre for Contemporary Art- Ujazdowski Castle, Museum of the Second World War). These actions are part of the government’s broader political and media campaign to smear minorities and promulgate radical right-wing views. Under the project, the Project Promoter will produce and disseminate a publication on the problem of the language of hate in public discourse, and on reacting to such language. Content produced with contributions from artists will be presented - in addition to text - in the form of short interviews, comics, in graphic form, and as memes. The publication will be accompanied by five thematic workshops for approximately 100 people. Working with antifascist movements, the Project Promoter will also conduct a public artistic and activist campaign centered on celebration of Independence Day. The campaign is intended to promote anti-fascist and anti-violence attitudes as alternative ways of expressing patriotism. Artists will prepare statements on the concept of patriotism in the form of artistic works which will be put on public display. The publication and workshops are intended for educators, people working at cultural institutions, and artists. These persons will develop their skills in making their voice heard in public debate, taking action on community issues, and reacting, through their art, to fascism and violence. The project will also help to integrate various artistic and anti-fascist communities.
Summary of project results
In recent years, the arts and culture sector has experienced unprecedented restrictions on artistic freedom and politicisation. Artists are attacked for their work and for promoting diversity or the rights of marginalised groups. Independent institutions do not receive state subsidies for their activities that are not in line with the ruling party line (e.g. the Malta Festival), while state cultural centres, hitherto open and inclusive, have undergone radical reorganisation and management changes (e.g. the CCA Ujazdowski Castle in Warsaw, the Museum of the Second World War). These actions are part of a broader strategy of the authorities - a political and media campaign against minorities and the popularisation of radically right-wing attitudes.
As part of the project, the Project Promoter created and disseminated the publication "How to talk about anti-fascism at the common table?", which is an artistic-activist handbook dedicated to the phenomenon of hate language in public discourse and responding to violent, exclusionary practices and discourses and attempts to limit the right to freedom of conscience and expression. The publication was accompanied by a series of workshops in selected cultural institutions in 5 cities in Poland. The Project Promoter, in collaboration with anti-fascist movements, also conducted a public nationwide art-activist action ''March of Hospitality'', a grassroots, dispersed festival of pro-migration artistic, activist, educational and social activities. The action took place in November and was intended to promote anti-fascist and anti-violence attitudes as alternative ways of expressing patriotism to the Independence March.
The publication and the workshop were aimed at educators, those working in cultural institutions and artists. These individuals developed their skills in speaking out in public debate, taking socially engaged action and responding to fascism and violence with their art. Anti-fascist and anti-violence themes became more present in cultural institutions. The project also served to integrate the artistic and anti-fascist communities.