Africa
Democratic Republic of the Congo and Republic of the Congo
History
Archives in Motion aims to establish a pioneering and enduring collaboration between three leading cultural institutions and an artist-run archive. The project's goal is to find new, equitable ways to revive lost cultural heritage. It started with photographic negatives and films from Sweden’s colonial history, featuring images from the Swedish Mission Archive that document a Congo that was not recorded on site. Film screenings and public discussions are planned in both Kinshasa and Brazzaville. In 2026/27, a trilingual publication in Kikongo, French, and English will be released. A comprehensive exhibition bringing together artistic, research-based and public perspectives will be held at Havremagasinet in Boden in May 2027.
Ethiopia
Artistic freedom
The Arts Council is here: The Program for Artistic Freedom
The Program for Artistic Freedom, funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and implemented by the Swedish Arts Council, works in partnership with civil society organisations in the Global South to strengthen artistic freedom as a cornerstone of democratic societies. Through long-term partnerships, the program focuses on protecting artists at risk, capacity-building, networking and international cooperation.
In 2026, the program continues its collaboration with eleven partner organisations across Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Europe, with an emphasis on artists’ rights, freedom of expression, and sustainable cultural ecosystems. Key engagements include participation in the PANAF Summit in Addis Ababa and the conference Free to Create: Power, Pressure, and Possibilities within Digital and Economic Landscapes from 6–8 February 2026, a report will be published.
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The Program for Artistic Freedom
Ethiopia and Tanzania
Music
La Liga Habanera is a Stockholm-based powerhouse blending modern Cuban timba with funk, soul and jazz influences into an explosive, groove-driven sound. Known for their high-energy performances and contemporary take on Afro-Cuban dance music, the group connects tradition with a forward-looking musical voice.
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Kenya
Music
IMEX – Improvised Music Export is an initiative created and led by Göteborg Artist Center (GAC) to strengthen the international presence of Swedish improvised music. The program is carried out in close collaboration with partners in Germany, Spain and Kenya, fostering artistic exchange and new performance opportunities. Current collaborations include residencies in Kenya.