Uruguay’s Open Culture Week: Free Culture in a Digital Age

Montevideo, Uruguay – In November 2025, Creative Commons Uruguay hosted Semana de la Cultura Libre (Open Culture Week), a week-long celebration that served as a potent reminder of the living, breathing nature of free culture. The event, attended by this reporter, wasn’t simply a theoretical discussion; it was a vibrant demonstration of how open practices are shaped by local communities and their unique needs.

Free Culture Is Alive—Even When the Licenses Aren’t

Conversations with Illeana Silva and Jorge Gemetto, leaders of the CC Uruguay chapter, revealed a fascinating dynamic: a deeply ingrained DIY culture thrives in Uruguay, with artists and organizers freely sharing and remixing work, often without formal Creative Commons licensing. This suggests that openness can be a cultural instinct, preceding its formal legal or technical expression. However, the chapter also highlighted a recurring challenge – a common misunderstanding that content simply available online is equivalent to content that is truly free and open. Many respond to projects like Musicalibre.uy, a curated collection of openly licensed music, with the sentiment, “Why would I need openly licensed music? I already use Spotify.”

This disconnect underscores a growing need to articulate the value of the commons, even before delving into the specifics of CC licenses. As platforms become increasingly proprietary and extractive, the convenience they offer can mask a loss of agency, access, and collective ownership – a particularly relevant consideration in the age of artificial intelligence.

Opening the Week: Free Culture in a Time of Extraction

The opening panel, “What do we talk about when we talk about free culture? Practices and challenges,” set the tone for the week. Speakers addressed critical themes including cultural and data extractivism, particularly from the Global South to the Global North, the complexities AI introduces to long-standing commitments to openness, and the necessity of defending cultural participation as a collective right.

The event provided an opportunity to introduce attendees to the Open Heritage Statement and the work of the Open Heritage Coalition.

Tools, Practices, and New Generations of Makers

Workshops throughout the week showcased the diverse ways people utilize open-source tools for creative endeavors and research. A notable observation was the active participation of younger creators who were already employing open-source tools in their creative processes, even if those tools weren’t explicitly governed by CC licenses. This raised questions about how Creative Commons can further support open resources for design, publishing, and artistic production, offering alternatives to the increasingly dominant role of AI in the creative landscape.

Technology, Power, and Accountability

Content warning: discussions included references to genocide and mass surveillance.

One of the most impactful moments of the week was the panel on Apartheid-Free Technology. Panelists shared experiences and perspectives on how technologies and AI tools are being used in systems of surveillance, repression, and genocide. This underscored the importance of granting CC chapters the autonomy to convene discussions that reflect their political viewpoints, particularly as they intersect with the ethical implications of emerging technologies.

Music, Radio, and the Commons in Practice

Live music performances brought a tangible energy to the week. Local bands releasing their music under Creative Commons licenses performed for free, demonstrating that openness isn’t merely a theoretical commitment but a practical and sustainable choice. The relaunch of Radio Común, a CC-licensed online radio station, provides a lasting platform for this work, extending the spirit of Semana de la Cultura Libre beyond the event itself.

Small Investments, Big Impact

Creative Commons supported Semana de la Cultura Libre with a small grant, part of a pilot program to engage more directly with regional events. These funds enabled the chapter to compensate local spaces and collaborators, pay a graphic designer, provide speaker stipends, and support local musicians releasing work under CC licenses. The organization intentionally participated as a supporter rather than a host, allowing the chapter to prioritize issues most relevant to their community and showcase their work to Creative Commons headquarters.

Looking Ahead

In the coming months, Creative Commons will announce a framework for selecting additional regional events to support with small stipends as part of its 25th-anniversary celebrations. The Uruguay chapter has expressed interest in expanding Open Culture Week into a global phenomenon next year. Those interested in participating can reach out to them at contacto@creativecommons.uy.

Creative Commons expressed gratitude to CC Uruguay for their leadership, vision, and dedication, and looks forward to continued collaboration.