Artistic Freedom and the Future of Democracy
In our polarised societies, the conscious protection and cultivation of artistic freedom as a civic value is increasingly important. The Bratislava Manifesto, signed by many European cultural networks and organisations, was a first step to enshrine the legal protection of artistic freedom in the European Union, similar to press freedom. When governments and political actors seek to control cultural expression, limit critique, or instrumentalise the arts, the space for independent thought and public debate narrows.
At the same time, more structural conditions within the cultural and creative sectors also play a crucial role. Precarious employment, unstable funding, and the lack of safe, reliable, and predictable working environments can significantly constrain artistic autonomy. Our event, Artistic Freedom and the Future of Democracy, seeks to address this question through a panel discussion with artists, curators, and experts in cultural policy and the societal impact of cultural politics.
Speakers include: Zsu Zsuró (Curator, Art Researcher), Vladimir Shalamov (Prometheus – a platform for critical art), Krisztina Lajosi-Moore (University of Amsterdam, Cultural Historian), Jan Jaap Knol (Director of the Boekman Foundation), and Marcus Desando (a cultural leader, Opera Director).
Programme
16.30 – 16.50 Introduction Lecture
16.50 – 17.00 Break / Questions
17.00 – 18.00 Round-table discussion
18.00 – 18.30 Q&A
Speakers
Zsu Zsuró is an artist, curator and researcher whose work engages art practices in the Hungarian diaspora. Zsuró has curated exhibitions and organised residency programs across Europe, as well as founding various NGOs.
Vladimir Shalamov is an artist whose work includes the curation of "Artists Against the Kremlin" and "Prometheus"– a platform for critical art. He has produced and curated exhibitions of anti-war art, amassing the largest collection of protest art from Russian-speaking artists.
Jan Jaap Knol is the director of the Boekman Foundation, an institute for arts, culture, and related policy in the Netherlands. In 2025, the Boekman Magazine published the issue "Artistieke vrijheid onder druk" concerned with polarisation, populism and social tensions that leads to (self)censorship conflicts at cultural institutions.
Krisztina Lajosi-Moore is the Programme Director of the BA European Studies and the BA Religious Studies at the University of Amsterdam. She is a cultural historian whose work spans nationalism studies, music and opera studies, cultural history, digital heritage, and political thought.
Marcus Desando is the Executive Director of the Prince Claus Fund, an independent foundation dedicated to transformative power of culture and development. As a cultural leader and arts executive, he is dedicated to developing the next generation of artists who will shape the future.
Practical information
This event takes place at VOX-POP (Binnengasthuisstraat 9), ground floor. Entry is free and open to everyone, however, we do kindly ask you to registrate.
