Discussion event on Freedom of Expression Amidst the Israel-Palestine Conflict

Discussion event on Wednesday 27 November at 5 pm – 8 pm

In a time when public discourse is shaped by both polarization and false equivalencies, artists who express support for Palestine are increasingly facing censorship; exhibitions and talks have been cancelled, and artworks removed from displays or collections. This suppression raises questions about freedom of expression and the role of art in political discourse.

Amos Rex invites artists, cultural practitioners from Finland and abroad, as well as students and activists, to engage in a critical discussion about what this growing trend of censorship means for the art world and society more broadly.

Join us for an evening of discourse that starts off with a keynote by artist Candice Breitz, followed by a panel discussion featuring Breitz alongside artist Larissa Sansour, and actor-playwright Noora Dadu. The panel will be moderated by Kieran Long, Museum Director of Amos Rex. The event will take place on Wednesday 27 November from 5 pm to 8 pm at Bio Rex, Lasipalatsi.

While issues of censorship certainly exist in the Nordic region, the level of suppression seen in the United States and Germany has not yet occurred here. This conversation seeks to explore the warning signs of such censorship and what the Finnish artistic community can learn from these global developments. We must consider what the relative freedom of speech in Finland can be used for, how freedom of expression can be safeguarded, and what we can do to support open, inclusive, and critical artistic expression.

The event features a trio performance by Palestinian musicians Nemat Battah and Shafeeq Alsadi, together with Australian musician Nathan Riki Thomson. The performance is held in collaboration with the Sibelius Academy’s Global Music programme, University of the Arts Helsinki.

The discussion will take place in the Bio Rex cinema, after which we invite you to relax and continue the conversation in a more informal setting. Join us in the lounge for drinks, snacks, and a chance to mingle with the speakers and other participants.

The discussion event will be held entirely in English. The event has an age limit of 18 years.

Admission is free, but advance booking is required. Please register no later than 20.11.2024.