The Refuge Network for Artists (RENA) recently held its first nationwide meeting in Switzerland. Committed to protecting artistic freedom of expression, RENA is the first national network in Switzerland dedicated to human rights and arts.
The Swiss RENA network was founded through the dedicated work of Teresa Chen, our valued representative of Artists at Risk (AR); Adi Blum, ICORN Board member; Alexandra Stähli, director of Atelier Mondial Basel; and Nicole Henning, former director of Gleis70 Artist Residency Zürich.
As threats to artistic freedom escalate globally, Artists at Risk (AR), RENA, and other global partners are working to ensure that no artist is forced into silence.
The meeting brought together key voices – from government representatives to international organisations – to discuss valuable insights on the progress and future of building protective structures and legislation for at-risk artists in Switzerland.
Discussions on challenges and opportunities for artists at risk in Switzerland were held by Nadja Zdravkova (Artists at Risk (AR)); Marion Gygax, presidential director of the City of Bern; Demian Cornu, co-president of the Swiss-German PEN Center; and Jonathan Leu – facilitated by Adi Blum.
Presentations from Artist Protection Residencies in Switzerland were given by Marion Gygax (Bern: ICORN city), as well as ARprotection residency collaborators Hanga Séra (Gastatelier Gleis70 Zürich) and Alexandra Stäheli (Basel: City of Hope).
Thank you to all who participated and everyone who continues to stand for justice, creativity, and the right to express ourselves through art!
