WOMEXaward 2003 to FREEMUSE

WOMEX AWARD 2003 to FREEMUSE - The World Forum on Music and Censorship Sunday 26 Oct; 14:45 Sevilleo Spain o Stage FIBESo Al-Andalus

At the closing award ceremony of World Music Expo WOMEX in Sevilla (22 - 26 Oct 03) FREEMUSE will be presented with the WOMEX AWARD for outstanding contributions to the World of World Music.

Thirty years ago the Chilean singer/songwriter Victor Jara had his hands broken before he was murdered by the Pinochet regime simply because his musical message was so strong. This year the American Country trio the Dixie Chicks have had records burnt and blacklisted as a result of (mildly) criticising George Bush.

Copenhagen based FREEMUSE (Freedom of Musical Expression), the human-rights organisation combating censorship of music and musicians in all forms around the world, aims to increase awareness of music censorship, document cases and support musicians in need. Since 2000, they've organised international conferences on music censorship and published four substantial reports: Afghanistan (under the Taliban), gypsies in Romania, the current situation in Zimbabwe and recently Nigeria.

At the Moment FREEMUSE is for instance working on the case of a Cuban musician who recently was sentenced to four years imprisonment in Cuba. More information on this case will be available at Freemuse stand number E 4 at WOMEX.

Gracing the award ceremony with her music will be FREEMUSE associated artist Amal Murkus (Palestine/Israel): As "an Arab, a Christian and a communist" (Dirty Linen), Amal Murkus has all the odds against her whenever the nationalist, the religious or the ideological card is played. Still she comes through in the Israeli and Arab world with her debut album mixing classical Arab poetry with modern arrangements and crystal clear singing that gets under your skin.

Contact Amal Murkus: Musiche Migranti / Label: NMC Music / Supported by Freemuse / Showtime Sunday 14:45 / Stage FIBES: Al-Andalus

At the WOMEX conference FREEMUSE presents two sessions:

Session 7, Friday 12:00 - 13:00, Bahia Room Cultural Boycott - of any Use?

With Hernandez-Reguant, Ariana (Spain/USA); Khoury, Rania Elias (Palestine); Murkus, Amal (Palestine/Israel); Walton, Jonathan (UK) / Moderator: Reitov, Ole (Denmark)

The culture boycott of South Africa is claimed to have played an important role in the World Community's attitude towards the racial regime and the anti-apartheid struggle as such. The recent UK initiative to boycott Israel is controversial; so is the Arab initiative to boycott cultural events that include Israeli artists.

Session 18, Saturday 12:00 - 13:00, Bahia Room
Post September 11

with Hsu, Clara (Hong Kong/USA); Soffer, Isabel (USA); Stanton, Phil (UK) / Moderator: Seligman, Gerald (USA)

"September 11" has affected musicians, festival and tour organisers in different parts of the world. Visa problems, threats, disrupted tours, changed play lists, nationalistic concerts and withdrawal of covers are just a few results. This session reveals and discusses the effects, and suggests possible actions.

Check out the FREEMUSE website and join at http://www.freemuse.org or contact Marie Korpe tel. + 45 29 44 42 80 (mobile) tel. + 45 32 69 89 22 (office) mak@humanrights.dk or freemuse@humanrights.dk

• article submitted by: Stephan Siedler, WOMEX