The Forbidden Voices programme began on 6 September with a conversation between the formerly imprisoned journalists Joakim Medin and Martin Schibbye, chaired by Marit Kapla (Swedish PEN). The event attracted a crowd that more than filled the stair stage at the Gothenburg City Library, demonstrating that the issue of freedom of expression resonates deeply with us. The final event, held on the Day of the Imprisoned Writer, 15 November by Swedish PEN and the City of Gothenburg is a recurring event highlighting the increasing risk of being imprisoned for one’s words around the world.

The Forbidden Voices programme was developed through collaboration between various departments within the Cultural Administration, as part of Literature City Gothenburg, UNESCO City of Literature, in partnership with Banned Books Week and ICORN.

Freedom of Expression in Decline

“Freedom of expression worsened in 44 countries last year, according to the latest Democracy Report from the V-Dem Institute at the University of Gothenburg. It is extremely important that we can help ensure that silenced voices are heard and amplified in Gothenburg through this focus on Forbidden Voices,” says Malin Schiller, Development Manager at the Cultural Administration.

Collaboration for freedom of expression is one of Gothenburg’s six focus areas as a City of Literature, with free speech at its core. This focus is becoming increasingly important in a time when democracies are weakening. By collaborating locally in Gothenburg, across Sweden, and among literature cities worldwide, the aim is to strengthen efforts for freedom of expression, draw attention to the issue, and create understanding of the challenges it faces today. Read more about Gothenburg’s six focus areas.

“Gothenburg’s commitment to freedom of expression was a key factor in our designation as a UNESCO City of Literature — a commitment we are proud to continue,” says Joakim Albrektson, coordinator for the City of Literature.

Forbidden Voices Are Heard

In 1996, Gothenburg became the first city of refuge in Sweden, and today it is one of 25 cities within ICORN that offer persecuted artists a safe haven for two years, allowing them to continue practising their art. Six city of refuge artists from across Sweden were invited to paritcipate in Forbidden Voices, including Gothenburg’s current city of refuge artist Pranto Palash, a journalist, author, poet, and human rights activist from Bangladesh.