Artists Changing the World features inspiring keynotes panels with artists of diverse backgrounds coming from all over the world. We feature inspiring speakers who can address several topics related to their region and context they work in and to hear from them how/if art can generate positive change in the world and can be spaces of resistance. It gives an in-depth insight into the social, economic, political context of the region the artists are active in.

This 'Artists Changing the World' panel was part of our 17th edition of the Festival Academy’s Atelier for Young Festival Managers from 16 - 22 June 2021 in Düsseldorf. It took place on 16 June at 4.30 pm CEST Time.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Nigeria/United States of America) is a world-renown Nigerian writer, one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World (2015), one of Fortune Magazine's World’s 50 Greatest Leaders (2017), and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Shahidul Alam (Bangladesh) is TIME Magazine’s Person of the Year (2018), photographer, writer and human rights activist, and initiator of Chobi Mela International Photography Festival.

Emily Johnson (Yup’ik Nation/United States of America) is an activist for Justice, Sovereignty and Wellbeing, Director/Choreographer at Catalyst, Bessie-Awarded winning Choreographer, Guggenheim Fellow and Doris Duke awarded artist.

The full panel can be watched here