The second edition of the PANAF Summit is set to take place between 14 and 16 February 2025, in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Themed Art, Civic Engagement, and Movement Building, the 2025 summit will focus on collective strategies for censorship board reform, building networks of artist residencies, and improving support for at-risk artists, particularly in times of protest, social movements, and conflict.
The 2025 summit builds on the themes and discussions of the first edition, which highlighted the important connection between artistic freedom and human rights. Held between 9 and 10 February 2024, the event brought together artists, policymakers, and stakeholders from across Africa and Europe to discuss the urgent issue of artistic freedom. Participants shared stories, challenges, and celebrated progress in creative expression. These early discussions now form the basis for advancing plans in 2025, focusing on changing restrictive systems and building networks to protect artistic creativity.
Fumba Chama, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth, Sport, and Arts in Zambia, as well as a well-known artist and activist, opened the 2024 summit with an inspiring keynote about the strong link between artistic freedom and human dignity. He praised positive changes by his government, such as repealing harmful laws in Zambia and creating policies to help artists, including social security programs. However, his message came with a reminder that despite these achievements, the fight for full creative freedom is far from over.
The personal stories shared by artists such as Vitali and Teardrops captured the heart of the summit. Vitali Maembe, a Tanzanian activist, painter and musician, explained how the lack of opportunities for visual artists led him to music, where he found a strong way to challenge societal norms. Similarly, Kenyan spoken word artist Teardrops shared his journey of overcoming personal loss and social neglect to push for better medical services in his country.
This common theme of artists using their work to resist and highlight social issues was prevelant in 2024 as seen in the actions of Kenyan and Mozambican artists. In Kenya, artists led protests against the 2024 Finance Bill, which could place a heavy tax burden on citizens. Through spoken word, music, and street art, these artists turned creativity into a powerful tool for civic resistance. Their work highlighted inequalities and started important conversations about governance and accountability.
In Mozambique, the recent presidential elections sparked artistic protests. Mozambican artists used their talents to expose claims of election fraud and call for transparency. The creative community united communities in demanding fair electoral practices and accountability from leaders.
The Sudanese artists’ struggle offers another powerful example of the threats faced by creatives across the continent. A report released in November, titled Tears of Guitars and Screams of Museums, was compiled by the African Center for Peace and Justice Studies (ACJPS) and the Sudanese Music Research Center. Covering April 2023 to September 2024, it documents grave human rights violations against artists, dramatists, and musicians during the ongoing armed conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict has claimed the lives of over 55 artists through shelling, shootings, and torture. These losses represent not only the tragic end of individual lives but also the silencing of cultural voices. This report underscores the urgent need for collective action to protect and support artists in conflict zones.
The summit also highlighted several new trends in artistic freedom. Countries like Uganda and Zambia are leading efforts to include artists in conversations to do with national policies. Zambia’s updated National Film Policy has set new standards for supporting and protecting artistic rights. Social media has also provided new ways for artists to share their work and speak out. In Nigeria, a group of musicians and digital artists successfully pushed for a national fund to help creatives struggling with economic challenges. Regional networks like the Amani Creative Defense Network have helped African artists fight censorship and exploitation by sharing resources and knowledge to create safer spaces for creative work.
In 2024, other key trends also emerged in the field of artistic freedom. The rise of digital art groups was especially notable, as young creatives in Kenya and South Africa used blockchain technology to prove ownership and earn from their work, avoiding traditional barriers. Podcasts and video platforms also became popular as artists used them to share stories and alternative viewpoints. These trends showed the creativity and adaptability of African artists, who continued to find new ways to express themselves despite censorship and limited resources.
As the continent continues to face political and economic challenges, the PANAF summit’s message is clear: the fight for artistic freedom is a fight for Africa’s identity. Looking ahead to 2025, the PANAF Summit will build on these conversations, creating plans to strengthen artistic networks, develop strategies to reform oppressive systems, and ensure that no artist’s voice is silenced in the face of hardship.
To register for the summit, click here. Deadline is 17 January 2025.
