2019 emerged as a year of unprecedented political mobilization which led to the beginning of a new political culture characterized by protests and civil disobedience. Dissent erupted in cities across the world, and protesting voices grew louder as public fury occupied the streets, from Paris to Prague, Beirut to Catalonia, in Hong Kong, Santiago, Tehran, Baghdad, Budapest, New Delhi, and even London. In 2020, the death of George Floyd reignited Black Lives Matter protests in the streets of the USA and Europe, even in the midst of lockdowns aimed at stopping the spread of coronavirus. The ongoing effects of the virus look set to worsen existing inequalities, and the lockdown has threatened the future of many working in the arts and humanities, even as it highlights how important the arts are in the lives of people whose freedom is restricted.

The 30th issue of FORUM looks at Creative Resistance and how it emerges in different forms, in different cultures. Encompassing literature, music, visual arts and film, this issue examines how art has been used to voice dissent, and how protests are creating spaces for art which questions and thwarts the status quo.  By focusing on art as resistance, these articles highlight how protest culture gives rise to creativity nurtured by the conflict between "the police forces of so many ideologies" (Camus) and how in turbulent times like ours, it gives us hope.

Many thanks to the following people for reviewing and editing this issue:

Agana Agana*, Manon Berset*, Huzan Bharucha*, Eliza Cottington*, Mara Curechian*, Ella March*, Keara Mickelson, Beata Migut, Dabangana Mishra*, Trishna Mukerjee*, Elizabeth Price, Dominic Richard, Marco Ruggieri*, Sarah Simpson, Rebecca String*, Amy Waterson

*Article editors

Adrija Ghosh and Dorothy Lawrenson, Editors-in-Chief