AWARD winning artists who “faced oppression in their own country for speaking out” and who were twice denied visas by the UK Government, arrive in Southend today to take up a two-week residency at Metal arts organisation.

The artists – Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara and Yanelys Nuñez Leyva – are founders of The Museum of Dissidence, a public art project and website celebrating dissent in Cuba.

The pair organise radical public art projects and installations, concentrated in the poorer districts of Havana to raise awareness and give a voice to people.

Last month, Cuban authorities arrested Nuñez and Alcantara for their role in organising a concert against Decree 349.

Decree 349 is a law due to come into force on December 1, 2018, which gives the Cuban Ministry of Culture increased power to censor, issue fines and confiscate materials for work of which they do not approve.

It is feared opposition voices could be snuffed out if the law is passed.

The pair claim to have been beaten during their detention.

It was said to be the second arrest in three weeks for Alcantara in relation to Decree 349.

Nuñez and Alcantara were told last month their visa request had been denied by the Home Office.

It was the second refusal this year.

The artists had previously been scheduled to attend Index’s award ceremony in London in April after winning the 2018 Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Awards for Arts, but were denied visas to attend.

Index on Censorship is a non-profit organisation based in London that campaigns for and defends free expression worldwide.

It publishes work by censored writers and artists, promotes debate, and monitors threats to free speech.

Nuñez and Alcantara were then called to the UK embassy in Havana on October 2 and told the visa would be granted this time after all, having “re-evaluated” their application.

Jodie Ginsberg, Index on Censorship chief executive said: “Fortunately the UK has realised its mistake and reversed what was clearly an unfair decision.

“Government ministers talk repeatedly of freedom of speech as a key British value so it’s critical the UK demonstrates it in practice.

“Denying visas to artists who have faced oppression in their own countries for speaking out simply emboldens the oppressor.”

Nunez and Alcantara – will now be able to take up most of their planned two-week residency in Southend with Metal, as well as receive their Freedom of Expression Award in person.

Colette Bailey, CEO and artistic director of Metal, said: “Metal are absolutely delighted that the decision not to allow Nunez and Alcantara to visit the UK as part of an artistic exchange has been overturned.

“We are very excited to welcome them in the coming weeks to Southend as part of our International Artists in Residence programme and are now busy preparing for their stay during which they will meet our local and regional artistic communities.”

Nunez and Alcantara were originally refused their visas on the grounds of insufficient evidence they would be able to support themselves financially during their stay.

Index on Censorship’s fellowships and advocacy officer Perla Hinojosa, said: “We had provided ample evidence of the support they would receive and that Index would stand as guarantor.

“We have run our awards for nearly 20 years and never had any of our winners overstay or breach their visa terms. We’re so pleased the UK recognised how important it is to be able to welcome groups like the Museum of Dissidence to the UK.”

In August, directors of some of Britain’s biggest festival orgnaisers signed a letter calling for the government to make its “overly complex” visa application process more transparent, after a surge in refusals and complications for authors, artists and musicians. As part of the residency at Metal, an event titled ‘Artist’s Talk: Museum of Dissidence – Cuba will be held at Chalkwell Hall, Chalkwell Avenue, Southend, on Wednesday October 24, at 7:30pm - 9:30pm, where the audience can hear from Alcántara and Leyva. They finish on Friday October 26. Tickets are free but book via Eventbrite.