The Swedish Institute of International Affairs participates during the Free Speech Festival
The Swedish Institute of International Affairs (UI), contributes with a series of three docs and talks under the heading ’Emerging images of resistance in the Arab world’ during Free Speech Festival, held at Kulturhuset Stadsteatern November 13-15.
The festival, themed ‘the internet and the freedom of speech online’, offers a full program to celebrate Stockholm and its 20 years as a safe haven for threatened practitioners within the cultural field. Meet journalists, artists, writers and journalists, artists, writers and activists that represent voices that shape freedom of speech today and the future.
November 13, 19.30-21.30: Docs & Talks: Amal
In this prize-winning documentary we follow the young and courageous Amal in her political and personal transformation during 6 years of rebellion in Egypt. Through her story this documentary reflects the experiences, dreams and traumas shared by a whole generation in their struggle for hope and justice. We are also confronted with the choices that arise when the struggle collides with the reality of power relations in Egypt. After the screening the director, Mohamed Siam, is interviewed by Cherine Hussein, Associate Research Fellow at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs (UI).
November 14, 17.30-18.30: Tunisia, the spring and the democracy
The Tunisian author and scholar Hela Yousfi has recently published a book "Trade Unions and Arab Revolutions: The Tunisian Case of UGTT" (Routledge 2018) that traces the role of the UGTT (the Tunisian General Labour Union) during Tunisia's 2011 revolution and its aftermath. She will discuss the Tunisian labour movement, its relevance for the Arab spring, and the struggle for social justice in Tunisia today with Lucia Ardovini, Research Fellow at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs (UI).
November 14, 19.00-21.00: Docs & Talk: Speed Sisters
Speed Sisters is the first female racing team in the Middle East. By weaving together life off and on the improvised race tracks we follow four women who drive straight into the male dominated Palestinian car racing scene. Come along for a challenging and fast ride in the occupied West Bank. After the screening, Cherine Hussein, Associate Research Fellow at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs (UI), will moderate a discussion with Lucia Ardovini, Research FEllow at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs (UI) and Sahar Mousa, Palestinian poet and editor from Gaza and Stockholm City of Refuge author.
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Free Speech Festival is arranged by Stockholms stad together with Internationel Cities of Refuge Network, Svenska PEN and Svenska Institutet with support from Kulturrådet.
More information about the Free Speech festival can be found here.