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The Freedom of Expression Prize 2012 to Sara Azmeh Rasmussen
Foto: Lill-Ann Chepstow-Lusty
Speech by Sara Azmeh Rasmussen 10 May 2012
Når jeg som tenåring satt på bønnematten kledd i en heldekkende hvit bønnedrakt og resiterte Koranen med ærefrykt, kunne jeg ikke forestille meg at jeg en dag skulle bli en religionskritiker, i hovedsak en islamkritiker. I dag har jeg mottatt Fritt Ords pris. I begrunnelsen blir min religionskritiske virke fremhevet. Enkelte kan komme til å tolke denne prisutdelingen som en offisiell støtte til en anti-islamsk stemme. Jeg har brent et slør, det som i dag er det tydeligste religiøse symbolet i islam, utfordret Islamsk Råd Norge i homofilispørsmål, støttet publiseringen av karikaturene og skrevet mange religionskritiske artikler gjennom de siste fem årene. Men gjør dette meg til en motstander av religion?
Religionskritikk er ikke et ensartet fenomen. Den rommer ulike posisjoner, tilnærmingsmåter og motiver. Det kan dreie seg om naturvitenskapelige, rasjonalistiske eller filosofisk-etiske diskusjoner. Den kan skje innenfor en teologisk ramme hvor intern kritikk søker nye forståelser av den egne tradisjonen. Det granskende blikket kan også tilhøre en som står på utsiden og som følgelig har et annet perspektiv enn den troende. Religionskritikk kan til slutt være mer eller mindre informert og nyansert. Dette mangfoldet av posisjoner gjør det ikke mulig å betegne all religionskritikk som fiendtlighet mot gudstro.
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The Freedom of Expression Prize for 2012 to Sara Azmeh Rasmussen
Speech by Georg Fr. Rieber-Mohn 10 May 2012
Sara Azmeh Rasmussen har gjennom flere år vist et uvanlig ytringsmot, hun har satt viktige spørsmål på dagsordenen og beriket norsk offentlig debatt. Drivkraften har vært en usvikelig tro på menneskeverdet, på menneskets autonomi og frihet som grunnleggende rettigheter, og som avgjørende vekstbetingelser for humanitet og demokrati. Før jeg underbygger dette nærmere, er det nødvendig å fortelle litt om Saras bakgrunn.
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The Freedom of Expression Prize for 2012 to Sara Azmeh Rasmussen
Press Release, 13 April 2012
The decision of the Board of Trustees of the Fritt Ord Foundation is based on the following grounds:
"Sara Azmeh Rasmussen is awarded the Freedom of Expression Prize for 2012 for her courageous, uncompromising commitment to promoting the integrity of the individual, and to freedom of expression and criticism of religion."
The Freedom of Expression Prize is the institution's highest distinction. The amount of the prize is NOK 400 000 and it is accompanied by the Fritt Ord Foundation statuette crafted by Nils Aas. The award ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, 10 May 2012, at the Norwegian Opera & Ballet, Stage 2, Oslo.
Sara Azmeh Rasmussen (born in 1973) has carved out a reputation over the past five years by using her distinctive voice in Norway's public debate. Her commitment is grounded in her respect for the value of human life. She has contributed to important debates about women and Islam, the persecution of homosexuals, and gender identity. She has also been unequivocal in discussions about surrogacy and child welfare. The struggle for democracy and reform in her home country of Syria has influenced her deeply, motivating her to contribute to the public debate.
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The Freedom of Expression Foundation's Competition for Young People 2012
Alexander Thorstvedt
The winners of the Fritt Ord Foundation Competition for Young People 2012 were announced on Friday, 20 April, at a ceremony at the Norwegian Technical Museum in Oslo.
First prize was awarded to Alexander Thorstvedt from Stavanger Cathedral School for the project "Development and diversity in Stavanger's street art scene". Second prize went to Mehrangiz Bijanpoor from Ås Upper Secondary School for the project "How did the Norwegian newspapers Aftenposten and Klassekampen cover the political situation in Iran in January 1979?", while third prize was awarded to Kaja Drews from the International School of Stavanger for the project "Chin Up, Chest Up: How do cosmetic surgery advertisements in the women’s magazine GLAMOUR entice people to seek physical changes?".
First prize is a grant for NOK 10 000, second prize for NOK 8 000 and third prize for NOK 7 000. The prizes also include a trip to Strasbourg, where all the prize laureates will visit the EU Parliament, the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights.
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European Photo Exhibitions Award 01: EUROPEAN IDENTITIES
New European photo exhibition opening at Haus der Photographie (House of Photography) in Deichtorhallen in Hamburg
The Fritt Ord Foundation is opening the exhibition with photo essays by 12 young European photographers on 3 May 2012, in collaboration with the Körber Foundation, Banca del Monte di Lucca Foundation and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.
Marie Sjøvold and Monica Larsen from Norway, and Hannah Modigh from Sweden have been chosen to represent Scandinavia by Eva Klerck Gange, curator at the National Museum, and Rune Eraker, photographer and curator of the project 'European Photo Exhibitions Award'.
Marie Sjøvold will be showing her series of photos entitled 'Midnight Milk', which explores what happens with our identity and self-image when we have children. Monica Larsen's photo essay is entitled 'Closer in the Distance', and it deals with migration, women and the role of a mother. 'Whispering Howls' is the name of Hannah Modigh's series of photos. She depicts young people's sense of identity during puberty.
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World Press Freedom Day 2012
'Female journalists under attack' and 'Media, authorities and transparency in the wake of the terrorist attack on 22 July'
The Fritt Ord Foundation, the Norwegian Union of Journalists, Norwegian P.E.N., the Norwegian Press Association, the Association of Norwegian Editors, IPI Norway and the Norwegian UNESCO Commission invite the public to World Press Freedom Day 2012, from 1.00 - 5.00 p.m. on Thursday, 3 May 2012, at the premises of the Fritt Ord Foundation, Uranienborgveien 2, Oslo. The focus will be on 'Female journalists under attack' and 'Media, authorities and transparency in the wake of the terrorist attack on 22 July'.
Female journalists under attack
Featuring Taghreed El-Khodary, Khadija Ismayilova, Gry Larsen, Vigdis Lian, Hannah Storm, Helena Williams, Sidsel Wold. Moderator: Gro Holm.
Media, authorities and transparency in the wake of the terrorist attack on 22 July
Featuring Elisabeth Eide, Mina Gerhardsen, Trond Idås, Per Anders Johansen, Helje Solberg. Moderator: Ole Torp.
Registration: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
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Sara Azmeh Rasmussen har gjennom flere år vist et uvanlig ytringsmot, hun har satt viktige spørsmål på dagsordenen og beriket norsk offentlig debatt. Drivkraften har vært en usvikelig tro på menneskeverdet, på menneskets autonomi og frihet som grunnleggende rettigheter, og som avgjørende vekstbetingelser for humanitet og demokrati. Før jeg underbygger dette nærmere, er det nødvendig å fortelle litt om Saras bakgrunn.
Read more >
The Freedom of Expression Prize for 2012 to Sara Azmeh Rasmussen
Press Release, 13 April 2012
The decision of the Board of Trustees of the Fritt Ord Foundation is based on the following grounds:
"Sara Azmeh Rasmussen is awarded the Freedom of Expression Prize for 2012 for her courageous, uncompromising commitment to promoting the integrity of the individual, and to freedom of expression and criticism of religion."
The Freedom of Expression Prize is the institution's highest distinction. The amount of the prize is NOK 400 000 and it is accompanied by the Fritt Ord Foundation statuette crafted by Nils Aas. The award ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, 10 May 2012, at the Norwegian Opera & Ballet, Stage 2, Oslo.
Sara Azmeh Rasmussen (born in 1973) has carved out a reputation over the past five years by using her distinctive voice in Norway's public debate. Her commitment is grounded in her respect for the value of human life. She has contributed to important debates about women and Islam, the persecution of homosexuals, and gender identity. She has also been unequivocal in discussions about surrogacy and child welfare. The struggle for democracy and reform in her home country of Syria has influenced her deeply, motivating her to contribute to the public debate.
Read more >
The Freedom of Expression Foundation's Competition for Young People 2012
Alexander Thorstvedt
The winners of the Fritt Ord Foundation Competition for Young People 2012 were announced on Friday, 20 April, at a ceremony at the Norwegian Technical Museum in Oslo.
First prize was awarded to Alexander Thorstvedt from Stavanger Cathedral School for the project "Development and diversity in Stavanger's street art scene". Second prize went to Mehrangiz Bijanpoor from Ås Upper Secondary School for the project "How did the Norwegian newspapers Aftenposten and Klassekampen cover the political situation in Iran in January 1979?", while third prize was awarded to Kaja Drews from the International School of Stavanger for the project "Chin Up, Chest Up: How do cosmetic surgery advertisements in the women’s magazine GLAMOUR entice people to seek physical changes?".
First prize is a grant for NOK 10 000, second prize for NOK 8 000 and third prize for NOK 7 000. The prizes also include a trip to Strasbourg, where all the prize laureates will visit the EU Parliament, the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights.
Read more >
European Photo Exhibitions Award 01: EUROPEAN IDENTITIES
New European photo exhibition opening at Haus der Photographie (House of Photography) in Deichtorhallen in Hamburg
The Fritt Ord Foundation is opening the exhibition with photo essays by 12 young European photographers on 3 May 2012, in collaboration with the Körber Foundation, Banca del Monte di Lucca Foundation and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.
Marie Sjøvold and Monica Larsen from Norway, and Hannah Modigh from Sweden have been chosen to represent Scandinavia by Eva Klerck Gange, curator at the National Museum, and Rune Eraker, photographer and curator of the project 'European Photo Exhibitions Award'.
Marie Sjøvold will be showing her series of photos entitled 'Midnight Milk', which explores what happens with our identity and self-image when we have children. Monica Larsen's photo essay is entitled 'Closer in the Distance', and it deals with migration, women and the role of a mother. 'Whispering Howls' is the name of Hannah Modigh's series of photos. She depicts young people's sense of identity during puberty.
Read more >
World Press Freedom Day 2012
'Female journalists under attack' and 'Media, authorities and transparency in the wake of the terrorist attack on 22 July'
The Fritt Ord Foundation, the Norwegian Union of Journalists, Norwegian P.E.N., the Norwegian Press Association, the Association of Norwegian Editors, IPI Norway and the Norwegian UNESCO Commission invite the public to World Press Freedom Day 2012, from 1.00 - 5.00 p.m. on Thursday, 3 May 2012, at the premises of the Fritt Ord Foundation, Uranienborgveien 2, Oslo. The focus will be on 'Female journalists under attack' and 'Media, authorities and transparency in the wake of the terrorist attack on 22 July'.
Female journalists under attack
Featuring Taghreed El-Khodary, Khadija Ismayilova, Gry Larsen, Vigdis Lian, Hannah Storm, Helena Williams, Sidsel Wold. Moderator: Gro Holm.
Media, authorities and transparency in the wake of the terrorist attack on 22 July
Featuring Elisabeth Eide, Mina Gerhardsen, Trond Idås, Per Anders Johansen, Helje Solberg. Moderator: Ole Torp.
Registration: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Read more >
Alexander Thorstvedt
First prize was awarded to Alexander Thorstvedt from Stavanger Cathedral School for the project "Development and diversity in Stavanger's street art scene". Second prize went to Mehrangiz Bijanpoor from Ås Upper Secondary School for the project "How did the Norwegian newspapers Aftenposten and Klassekampen cover the political situation in Iran in January 1979?", while third prize was awarded to Kaja Drews from the International School of Stavanger for the project "Chin Up, Chest Up: How do cosmetic surgery advertisements in the women’s magazine GLAMOUR entice people to seek physical changes?".
First prize is a grant for NOK 10 000, second prize for NOK 8 000 and third prize for NOK 7 000. The prizes also include a trip to Strasbourg, where all the prize laureates will visit the EU Parliament, the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights.
Read more >
European Photo Exhibitions Award 01: EUROPEAN IDENTITIES
New European photo exhibition opening at Haus der Photographie (House of Photography) in Deichtorhallen in Hamburg
The Fritt Ord Foundation is opening the exhibition with photo essays by 12 young European photographers on 3 May 2012, in collaboration with the Körber Foundation, Banca del Monte di Lucca Foundation and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.
Marie Sjøvold and Monica Larsen from Norway, and Hannah Modigh from Sweden have been chosen to represent Scandinavia by Eva Klerck Gange, curator at the National Museum, and Rune Eraker, photographer and curator of the project 'European Photo Exhibitions Award'.
Marie Sjøvold will be showing her series of photos entitled 'Midnight Milk', which explores what happens with our identity and self-image when we have children. Monica Larsen's photo essay is entitled 'Closer in the Distance', and it deals with migration, women and the role of a mother. 'Whispering Howls' is the name of Hannah Modigh's series of photos. She depicts young people's sense of identity during puberty.
Read more >
World Press Freedom Day 2012
'Female journalists under attack' and 'Media, authorities and transparency in the wake of the terrorist attack on 22 July'
The Fritt Ord Foundation, the Norwegian Union of Journalists, Norwegian P.E.N., the Norwegian Press Association, the Association of Norwegian Editors, IPI Norway and the Norwegian UNESCO Commission invite the public to World Press Freedom Day 2012, from 1.00 - 5.00 p.m. on Thursday, 3 May 2012, at the premises of the Fritt Ord Foundation, Uranienborgveien 2, Oslo. The focus will be on 'Female journalists under attack' and 'Media, authorities and transparency in the wake of the terrorist attack on 22 July'.
Female journalists under attack
Featuring Taghreed El-Khodary, Khadija Ismayilova, Gry Larsen, Vigdis Lian, Hannah Storm, Helena Williams, Sidsel Wold. Moderator: Gro Holm.
Media, authorities and transparency in the wake of the terrorist attack on 22 July
Featuring Elisabeth Eide, Mina Gerhardsen, Trond Idås, Per Anders Johansen, Helje Solberg. Moderator: Ole Torp.
Registration: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Read more >
The Fritt Ord Foundation, the Norwegian Union of Journalists, Norwegian P.E.N., the Norwegian Press Association, the Association of Norwegian Editors, IPI Norway and the Norwegian UNESCO Commission invite the public to World Press Freedom Day 2012, from 1.00 - 5.00 p.m. on Thursday, 3 May 2012, at the premises of the Fritt Ord Foundation, Uranienborgveien 2, Oslo. The focus will be on 'Female journalists under attack' and 'Media, authorities and transparency in the wake of the terrorist attack on 22 July'.
Female journalists under attack
Featuring Taghreed El-Khodary, Khadija Ismayilova, Gry Larsen, Vigdis Lian, Hannah Storm, Helena Williams, Sidsel Wold. Moderator: Gro Holm.
Media, authorities and transparency in the wake of the terrorist attack on 22 July
Featuring Elisabeth Eide, Mina Gerhardsen, Trond Idås, Per Anders Johansen, Helje Solberg. Moderator: Ole Torp.
Registration: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Read more >
Applications
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Applications Centre
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Supported projects – examples
Lars Hertervig. The frenzy of light
Mediacircus TV received NOK 250 000 for the production of the documentary film "Lars Hertervig. The frenzy of light". Hertervig (1830–1902) was considered to be one Norway's greatest artists before he was diagnosed with incurable insanity and pushed out into the cold. The paintings from the last 30 years of his life were considered the scribblings of a child, but subsequently turned out to bear clear similarities to styles that gained ground in Europe several decades later. Was the painter insane or just ahead of his time? The film questions the myths about Hertervig. The director and scriptwriter is Karl Johan Paulsen.
The list of the major grants made by the Fritt Ord Foundation in April 2012 has now been published.
The list of the major grants made by the Fritt Ord Foundation in April 2012 has now been published.
New Norwegian drama
Among the minor grants awarded by the Fritt Ord Foundation in March 2012, we find 11 theatre projects, mainly regarding development of new Norwegian drama. For example, in collaboration with the Harstad Cultural Centre, Holte Productions has been granted NOK 60 000 for the development of the play "Anna Elisabeth – The woman who built the city", based on Anna Elisabeth Kaarbø's diaries from about 1913. The Rimfrost Theatre Group on Senja has received NOK 50 000 for the project "Dedicated enthusiasts", in which they use ordinary people's words to tell stories about dedicated enthusiasts and 'rural Norway'. A grant of NOK 25 000 was allocated to the theatre production "Congo re:born", based on the case of Tjostolv Moland and Joshua French. This initiative was taken by Kjersti Horn, Emil Johnsen, Ågot Sendstad, Mads Sjøgård and Kaia Varjord.
A list has been published of the major grants awarded by the Fritt Ord Foundation in March 2012.
A list has been published of the major grants awarded by the Fritt Ord Foundation in March 2012.
House of Literature in Trondheim
The Fritt Ord Foundation has allocated MNOK 2 to the establishment of a House of Literature in Trondheim in the Huitfeldtgården Building at Kjøpmannsgata 14. The literary community and the Trondheim Public Library have been prime movers behind the process. The House of Literature will be an arena for literature and the open exchange of ideas and opinions. The goal is to render visible and strengthen literary circles in central Norway and influence the atmosphere for debates in the region. In addition to providing premises for debates, lectures and readings, according to plan, the House of Literature will offer a café, bookshop and work stations for writers.
The list of the major grants made by the Fritt Ord Foundation in March 2012 has now been published.
The list of the major grants made by the Fritt Ord Foundation in March 2012 has now been published.
Action on Belarus!
Norwegian P.E.N. has been granted NOK 50 000 for a full-day conference on Belarus in collaboration with the Human Rights House Foundation, Oslo, and the Norwegian Helsinki Committee. The conference is entitled "Action on Belarus!" and will be held at the House of Literature in Oslo from 8.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on 22 March 2012. The conference will feature a number of high-profile speakers from Norway and abroad, including Thorbjørn Jagland, secretary general in the Council of Europe, and Natallia Radzina, editor of the Belorussian website Charter97.org. Is Norway's policy in respect of Belarus clear enough? How we can best help the freedom-seeking people of Belarus? For the full programme, see The Norwegian Helsinki Committee's website.
A list has been published of the minor grants awarded by the Fritt Ord Foundation in February 2012.
A list has been published of the minor grants awarded by the Fritt Ord Foundation in February 2012.