The movie showing in Jordan will have subtitles in Arabic.
Many young people in Europe and the Middle East find that sports and arts is an alternative way to express and challenge themselves. The Danish contribution to the EU Film festival deals with the themes of intercultural dialogue and youth expression through sports; “Fighter” is about a young Turkish-Danish girl who is not only fighting to improve her Kung Fu skills, but also struggling to cope with the intercultural complications and expectations of society, family and friends as she creates her own identity.
The Danish Embassy and MS Action Aid would like to invite you to participate in two events together with the leading actress from the movie, Semra Turan, where you will have the opportunity to debate and experience different ways of self expression in company of young engaged athletes and artists from Denmark and Jordan:
The 5th of November in Amman at King Hussein Cultural Centre at 6pm: A debate about ways and limitations of youth expression with engaged young athletes and artists from Denmark and Amman, including the leading actress. Movie starts at 8 pm.
The 6th of November in Amman at Al-Hussein Cultural Centre at 5pm: You will have another chance to view the movie “Fighter”.
The 7th of November in Zarqa at King Abdallah Cultural Centre at 3pm: Engaged young athletes and artists from Denmark, Amman and Zarqa will perform, share and debate different ways of self expression through sports and arts. The screening of the movie will take place at 6pm and be followed by a joint discussion with the audience.
Followers of this blog will know that my country have had its share of bad press coverage. So now to something totally different.
Oprah Winfrey recently visited Copenhagen in Chicago’s unsuccessful bid for the Olympics 2016. During her stay she shot a sequence about danes and the way they live for her show. It is a quite rosy story but it also give some insights to some of the things that Danes value in their life.
If you’re into Oprah this is something for you.
I think I am going to have a look at how they live in Dubai – the contrast must be remarkable
Jordan is 112th on the list – an improvement from last year. Reading the Methodology paper RSF mentions that the Index ”measure the level of self-censorship in each country and the ability of the media to investigate and criticise” which is probably what puts Jordan in the lower half.
On top of the list you find a group of Nordic countries (Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland – and Ireland) – all at an equal high score of zero points meaning full freedom of Press.
The first 15 countries are all small and highly developed countries and no one more than roughly double the size of Jordan in population. It seems that size does matter…and there is room for Jordan in the club.
This week I had one of those experiences that will stay with me for a long time when remembering Jordan.
I really didn’t have the time to go, but a couple of days before I noticed that a new Jordanian short documentary was going to be aired at the Royal Film Commission. It was entitled “Ramim” which of course didn’t say anything to me at that time, but the subject was clear: Environmental degradation in Jordan.
It is not often topics like that are discussed in Jordan – and definitely not in a locally produced film – so I just had to go – despite other engagements. I came half an hour early – hoping that we might start on time we didn’t but the setting and the scenery is as you probably know great….
The film itself was so good and interesting that you actually forgot you were at the RFC. The documentary is done in a very low key fashion mixing what should be (but apparently isn’t – read: Zarqa River) huge political scandals with good hints about how to live in a more sustainable way. It is a film that speaks for itself – and I will absolutely encourage you to watch it if you get the chance.
I have asked for a copy – not received yet unfortunately – and I hope that the producers will upload it on YouTube or elsewhere – or at least make it sure that it is widely distributed in Jordan. If I get info on where it will be aired in the near future I’ll update this post.
Copenhagen Celebrates (Al-Quds), Jerusalem, as the Capital of Arab Culture for 2009 .
Copenhagen- Petra: The Danish capital, Copenhagen, is preparing to host the first international celebration within the events of “Jerusalem as the Capital of Arab Culture for 2009” between 26 – 27 of this month to become the first European capital participating in this ceremony.
A statement by the Danish Centre for Culture and Development (DCCD) said that the organization of the celebration, which comes under the title of “Salutes (peace) from Denmark to Jerusalem”, is held in collaboration between the Yabous Productions in the occupied Jerusalem, and funded by the Danish Foreign Ministry.
Many Danish and Palestinian cultural figures are scheduled to attend the festival, as well as Arab ambassadors accredited to Denmark.
The festival will also be attended by the Mufti of Jerusalem and Palestine, Sheikh Mohammed Hussein, and the Rev. Dr. Naim Atiq, Director of Sabeel Centre and Rafiq Al-Husseini, Chief of the Administrative Council of the ceremony of “Jerusalem is the Capital of Arab culture”. A large group of Palestinian artists will present a bunch of cultural works, including musical and artistic performances in addition to workshops of Palestinian handicrafts.”
Posted by Thomas Lund-Sørensen 
Posted by Thomas Lund-Sørensen 
Posted by Thomas Lund-Sørensen 
