Egypt’s art world rallies to defend freedom of expression

Artists, curators, critics and academics have united against president Mohamed Morsi and his controversial charter, which they say threatens freedom of expression and creativity. Resistance is increasing in other ways too—through mass protests, works of art in the street, open letters and artists’ statements. More demonstrations calling for a consensual constitution are expected on 25 January, the second anniversary of the revolution that swept through Egypt.

Cultural coalitions have also been growing in number. The Egyptian Creativity Front, which led protests against the constitution in Cairo in November and December, is the latest to be formed in opposition to the ruling Muslim Brotherhood and the ultraconservative Salafi Al-Nour party, which wields significant political power and believes society should be governed by strict Sharia law. According to reports in the Egyptian press in December, Yasser Borhami, a member of the Al-Nour party, praised the constitution for placing “restrictions on freedom of thought, expression and creativity.”