Migration contributes to new culture, says diplomat
Migration contributes to new culture, says diplomat /saudi-arabia/news/737876
Jeddah: Fouzia Khan
The 9th European Film Festival began here with the opening of a German film "Lola rennt" (Run Lola Run), an "all-time classic."
Welcoming the guests, German Consul General Annette Klein said the high number of consulates here in Jeddah gives them a great opportunity to learn how people in other countries think and feel, while helping them to better enjoy the cultural exchange among people.
Besides Germany, six European countries participated in the film festival, including Italy with "Nuovo Mondo" (New world); Russia with "Ballade of a soldier," Greece with "Little England," Ireland with "Secret of Roan Inish," Norway with "Pioneer" and Britain with "Paddington" (the bear). Cultural Manager and Cultural Attaché Miriam Seyffarth at German Consulate described the movie, "Run Lola Run," as an all-time classic.
"The movie is about a courageous young woman who tries to save her boyfriend with cleverness and with sheer will-power. The film represents an early adaptation of the butterfly effect, according to which small events can lead to major changes in the world," she said.
During the screening of Italian film 'Nuovomondo,' Italian Consul General Elisabetta Martini said Italy is a treasure chest of culture and beauty, making it one of the top tourist destinations in the world.
However, she said: "It is important to remember during these times that we have thousands of people fleeing from poverty and war, and trying to reach our coasts in Italy."
"I chose this film because the poetry and beauty of its images reminds us of a time when Italians and Europeans from undeveloped regions used to be on the other side of this dichotomy. This was a time when our grandfathers were the ones dreaming of better places and risked their own lives to get to the Americas, Australia or even to Egypt," she said. The migration patterns at that time contributed to the emergence of a new culture in the destination countries, putting our history of being migrants directly in line with that of the many migrants attempting to seek better prospects on our soils today, she said.