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On December 8, 2024, the fall of one of the world’s most oppressive regimes sent shockwaves around the globe. The Syrian people, celebrating the end of over half a century of Assadist rule, have marked a historic turning point nearly 14 years after the first mass protests against the regime. This moment breathes new life into the legacy of the 2011 Arab Uprisings, urging a fresh examination of the region’s recent history.The Arab Uprisings that began in 2011 all followed very different trajectories, yet all have shaped the lives and the future of the people and nations who lived them. While Syria is facing a new chapter of hope and challenges, in the small island nation Bahrain in the Persian Gulf, 2011 seems further and further away, the old regime rests firmly on power, and the opposition is locked up in prison.
Finjan, the FreeAlKhawaja Campaign and NASIM invite you to join us for an evening of reflection and hope as we commemorate the Arab Uprisings of 2011, a pivotal moment in modern history that redefined the pursuit of freedom, dignity, and justice in the Arab world.
This event will feature a screening of the powerful documentary We Are The Giant, which chronicles the stories of ordinary individuals who took extraordinary steps to challenge oppressive regimes during the uprisings. Through intimate and compelling narratives, the documentary sheds light on the courage, sacrifices, and resilience of activists across Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA).
Following the screening, a panel discussion with activists and experts Maryam Al-Khawaja and Agob Yacoub will delve into the lasting impact of the Arab Uprisings, the lessons learned, and the road ahead for their respective countries of birth - Bahrain and Syria.
Maryam Al-Khawaja is one of the protagonists of We Are the Giant. Her father, Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, is a Danish-Bahraini citizen serving a life sentence in Bahrain for his lifelong human rights work and pivotal role in the 2011 Bahraini uprising. Maryam is herself a fierce human rights defender, who has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize together with her father and sister.
Agob Yacoub is a Syrian activist and the head of the Danish-Syrian cultural association Finjan. In 2011, he was doing his mandatory military service and when the revolution began, he decided to flee the country to escape participating in the army’s attacks on civilian protesters. Agob is devoted to the rights of Syrians in Denmark as well as to the fight for a free and just Syria.
Program:
- Screening of We Are The Giant – A gripping documentary exploring the personal stories of activists in Bahrain, Syria, and Libya during the 2011 uprisings.
- Panel Discussion and Q&A – Maryam Al-Khawaja and Agob Yacoub will provide unique insights into the legacies of the Bahraini and Syrian uprisings and their relevance today.
We look forward to welcoming you to this important event. While honing in on Syria and Bahrain in particular, we want to mark the anniversaries of the watershed events of January, February and March 2011 in as many countries as Tunisia, Egypt, Bahrain, Libya, Yemen and Syria.
Together, let us honor the spirit of those who fought and still fight for freedom and justice and continue the conversation about the transformative power of collective action.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Karen Blixens Vej 8, 2300 Kbh S, Karen Blixens Vej 4, 2300 København S, Danmark,Copenhagen, Copenhagen , Denmark
