Free Speech & Cancel Culture

A week before the scheduled launch of the latest book by Professor Frank Furedi, the executive director of the leading conservative think tank MCC (Mathias Corvinus Collegium) Brussels, the bookstore that previously agreed to host the event cancelled the event saying:

After careful consideration, we have found out that the political connotation of the initiative is more strongly marked than we initially understood. Our venue has always maintained a line of neutrality, this choice allows us to ensure an inclusive space that respects all sensibilities.

The event was supposed to take place on Monday, September 30th, in the Piola.libri bookstore, just a few minutes' walk from the European Commission's headquarters and other major EU institutions.

In their press release, MCC explained that the critically acclaimed book, The War Against the Past, explores today's cultural crusade against Western history which is being increasingly dismissed as toxic. From the toppling of statues to the removal of historical terms from everyday vocabulary, Furedi examines the growing effort to cast the past in a negative light.

The MCC has secured an alternative venue for the book launch, which will be announced shortly.

Acting union Equity has criticised a growing culture of censorship after a play was cancelled, reportedly in a dispute over references to the Israel-Gaza war and trans rights. Equity said it was deeply frustrated at the lack of transparency over the cancellation, and that it was speaking to theatre bosses to protect the principle of artistic freedom. An Equity statement reads:

We reject the growing culture of censorship created by funders and pressure groups. We are fighting for artistic integrity, as well as dignity for our members, and all working people.

We remain in conversation with Royal Exchange management to protect the principle of artistic freedom, guarantee our members' dignity at work, and ensure the integrity of our collective agreements.

The Royal Exchange, Manchester's main producing theatre, has scrapped its entire five-week run of a modern retelling of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream .

The theatre has said that the play faced a number of challenges. It said those challenges included injuries, a delayed technical week and changes late in the process.

The Manchester Evening News reported , external that the show, set in the city's present-day rave scene, was axed after managers objected to a song with lyrics that referred to trans rights and the phrase free Palestine.

Theatre newspaper The Stage reported , external that one of the points of contention was free Palestine being daubed on the set as well as featuring in a rap.