The City of Copenhagen is an ICORN city

As an ICORN city, Copenhagen commits to hosting threatened or persecuted writers, journalists or artists, typically for a 2-year period. The ICORN residence is granted residency in the city and can continue their artistic practice, which in their home country may be associated with danger or reprisals because they have exercised their freedom of expression.

For an ICORN residence, the stay is often a much-needed break from the threats that have made their work difficult, and the artists are given the opportunity to develop their writing or artistic work without having to constantly look over their shoulders. 

The purpose of an ICORN city is to protect and defend the freedom of expression of persecuted authors and artists in a very concrete and literal sense, so that they can continue to write and practice their art in a safe environment with good living and working conditions that promote their professional artistic work. ICORN cities create a safe framework that allows the artists to be a voice for the many from their home countries, regions or even globally.

As of 2026, the ICORN network counts 92 member cities or regions cross Europa and the Americas, working together to defend democratic values and international solidarity. The cities host ICORN residences presenting a broad range of artforms; musicians, scriptwriters, painters, rappers, visual designers and writers just to mention a few. 

Copenhagen has a long tradition of actively supporting and protecting human rights and freedom of expression as well as being a safe haven for persecuted writers, artists, and journalists. Since 2010, Copenhagen has hosted a freelance journalist, art critic and writer from Iraq, an award-winning artist and political satirist from Sudan and a writer, documentarian, poet and filmmaker from Bangladesh, and a writer and environmental activist also from Bangladesh.

In 2024, Copenhagen hosted ICORN International General Assembly gathering more than 350 policymakers, ICORN artists, coordinators, human right defenders, organizations and many more, all participated to put focus on the decline of democracy, the pressure on freedom of expression and artistic freedom, and improving artists’ life in exile. 

The ICORN artist can participate in activities or projects in Copenhagen

The ICORN residence has an associated coordinator, who helps to strengthen the artist's professional work and activities, preferably in collaboration with the Copenhagen art and cultural scene. If you would like to hear more or have any activities or projects that the ICORN artist can participate in, please contact the ICORN coordinator below.