New art festival held during election year: "A response to political threats"

- It is a tribute to art, we want to stand up for artistic freedom by making art, he says.

In recent years, the issue of artistic freedom has been highly topical.

Last May, the Swedish Agency for Cultural Analysis released a report warning of increased political control.

There are also many examples of when politicians tried to control art: from municipal politicians in Nacka who wanted to dictate the conditions for art shown at street art festivals, to the Sweden Democrats' new proposal to investigate a ban on gangster rap on Swedish Radio.

- The artistic freedom is at stake when one from a political point of view tries to dictate the art based on personal taste.

We have many examples, and the development is noticeable throughout Europe, says Thierry Mortier.

In the video, you can hear why he believes that artistic freedom should be defended - even when it comes to gangster rap, for example.

Manifested during the election year

This is how the artist Thierry Mortier came up with the idea for Kvadrennalen - an art festival that is held throughout Sweden during the election year, when the political game is at its most intense.

The aim is to manifest the importance of free art through exhibitions and events.

- Kvadrennalen is a platform for contemporary art that reacts to political threats to artistic freedom.

We stand for artistic freedom, and are non-partisan.

Kvadrennalen is now mobilizing the Swedish art scene: from authorities, organizations and artists have expressed interest in participating.

The idea is that there will be art events all over Sweden during the election year.