Artists celebrate 70th anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights

For Mariusca La Slameuse and Spirita Nanda, fashion and music go hand in hand. The clothes they wear, just like the music they sing, are fundamental elements of their artistry. Both women live and work in Brazzaville, in the Republic of Congo. They're each famous as solo artists, but today they've joined forces to combat violence against children in the context of blended families. FRANCE 24 went to meet them.

Our first stop in our new show FrancEurope is the Italian capital Rome and the prestigious setting of the Villa Medici. It's home to the Academy of France and each year a select group of contemporary artists receive a fellowship, allowing them to work on their dream project in a uniquely cossetted setting. Our reporters Luke Brown and Xavier Chemisseur were lucky enough to get a sneak peek of what the artists-in-residence have been working on.

Annette Young talks to Louisahhh, a Paris-based American techno artist about the musicians and DJs taking a stand to end a culture of sexual harassment and violence in the industry. Despite being outlawed by the government; female genital mutilation shows no sign of abating in Guinea. We take a look at the battle to end a deeply-rooted tradition. Plus born to be free; the Tunisian female bikers taking to the road to challenge stereotypes in the North African country.

The Guest Artists Space (G.A.S.) Foundation, an initiative of renowned Nigerian-British artist, Yinka Shonibare CBE RA, recently welcomed key figures in the Lagos art scene to the opening of its residency and incubator spaces for artists and creatives.⁣

Khatia Buniatishvili was born in Georgia and has become one of the best-known pianists in the world. This week she led a concert in Paris with other artists in solidarity with Ukraine. She speaks to Eve Jackson about the conflict, why she stopped performing in Russia in 2008 after the country launched a ground assault against Georgia, and shares her thoughts about the world's boycott of Russian artists.

As the war in Ukraine continues, one Parisian NGO is using art as a force for unity. The "Agency of Artists in Exile" is currently inundated with requests from both Ukraine and Russia. The agency is building bridges and collaborations between artists from both countries, all of whom are united in their opposition to Vladimir Putin's war. Our team reports.

Ugandan musician and politician Bobi Wine says culture can flourish with freedom. He was part of a group of African artists invited to a DW panel to discuss opportunities for Africa's creative scene.

Unpronounceable volcanoes, Björk, Vikings, Game of Thrones – these are some of the things you might think of relating to Iceland. This remote and fascinating island, located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean with a population of 360,000 people, is one of the most creative nations in the world. Is it due to isolation, the inspiration from nature or its centuries-old folklore legends? Eve Jackson goes to the land of ice and fire to find out why Iceland has such an exceptional and disproportionate amount of artists.

In Russia, artists who speak out against the invasion of Ukraine are being blacklisted. A State Duma commission formed to investigate "anti-Russian cultural activities" is targeting artists, musicians and other prominent figures in the cultural sphere.

In this special programme from London, we look back at Queen Elizabeth II's life as a cultural icon. During her 70-year reign, the late monarch was the subject of countless portraits, photographs and artworks around the world. Artist Nicky Philipps painted the queen's official portrait three times. She speaks to Eve Jackson about their sittings together, the stories Elizabeth II shared and the moment she had to tell the queen to close her mouth.

Sudanese artists try to preserve traditional Meroitic handcrafted jewellery, which women traditionally wear in weddings and events, against cheaper imports.

When the 2019 revolution began in Sudan, paintings touting democracy and freedom appeared at sit-ins. These paintings made a strong impression on the young generation, who discovered a new means of expression after decades of censorship under Omar al-Bashir. After the military seized power in a coup d’état in October 2021, artists continued to express their thirst for freedom.