Helsinki University Hosts HelAFF
- Helsinki Arab Film Festival
- Apr 10
- 1 min read
Helsinki – April 10, 2025
The Department of Languages at the University of Helsinki welcomed Mr. Azer Sawiris, President of the Helsinki Arab Film Festival (HelAFF), to deliver an insightful lecture on the significant role of cinema in conveying the cultures and lifestyles of diverse peoples. He emphasised how films can enhance the Arabic language learning experience for non-native speakers.
Mr. Hany Mansour, an instructor of Arabic Language and MENA Culture in Helsinki University, opened the event, expressing his appreciation for the initiative of organising a film festival dedicated to Arabic cinema in Helsinki.
During his lecture, Mr. Sawiris presented a brief history of Egyptian cinema, highlighting how it reflects the social, economic, and political events that have shaped a nation celebrated for its cinematic achievements. He discussed how these changes – in return - have influenced the film industry over time.
Mr. Sawiris highlighted the importance of the Helsinki Arab Film Festival, noting its role in addressing a significant need within Finnish society to dispel misconceptions about Arab and Middle Eastern communities. He stated that cinema serves as a vital tool for promoting social cohesion, security, and peace, effectively combating ignorance, as people often fear what they do not understand.
Furthermore, he examined the crucial role that film plays in enhancing language acquisition for foreign learners of Arabic, particularly in improving listening and comprehension skills and understanding idiomatic expressions that may carry nuanced meanings shaped by cultural contexts.
Mr. Sawiris concluded by extending an invitation to the department's students to attend the festival's second edition, set to take place from September 8 to 13, 2025.
