“Free to Create - Create to be Free” is a digital #exhibition conceived by the Council of Europe. It is set up in consultation with the Steering Committee for Culture, Heritage and Landscape (CDCPP) to mark the 70th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and follows the launch of the “Manifesto on the Freedom of the Expression of Arts and Culture in the Digital Era” in November 2020 by the Committee.

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The project is a follow-up to the 30th Council of Europe Art Exhibition “The Desire for Freedom: Art in Europe since 1945” (2012-15), drawing attention to the significance of arts and culture and their interrelation with the right for freedom of expression, as expressed in Article 10 of the ECHR, in upholding Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law. This digital #exhibition provides a fresh view promoting the importance of freedom of artistic expression and the role of art, culture and heritage in these times when democracy is under great pressure from the regional and global challenges relating to political, economic, technological and environmental issues Massive disinformation on the internet and the fabrication of myths, the spread of far-right movements, growing inequality, the degradation of the environment and climate change as a result of CO2 emissions, to name but a few.. It also provides an innovative means to communicate on and disseminate Council of Europe values.