Listen to the article in Swedish
The film *Athro Rhimo*, the long-awaited Assyrian feature film about the singer Linora and her search for hope and healing for her son Ankido, had its Swedish premiere this past weekend. Two screenings, two packed theaters—and an evening that many will remember for a long time to come.
It began last Friday at Tumba Scenen, where about 160 people gathered to watch the film. Even then, it was clear that *Athro Rhimo* was anything but an ordinary film screening—the audience stayed long afterward, discussing what they had just seen, and the event was greatly appreciated by those who had come to see the film.
Last Sunday, August 30, it was time again. This time at Estrad in Södertälje, which was sold out and packed for the premiere screening. About 500 people had come to see the film for the first time—a figure that in itself speaks to how much the Assyrian audience has longed for stories like this: in our own language, rooted in our own history and our own spiritual life.
Director Aziz Said was on hand at Estrad, along with a large portion of the cast. They had the opportunity to share a few words about what the film has meant to them and why it is important to support similar projects and to immortalize Assyrian culture, language, and identity on the big screen.
Shahro – The evening continued in a spirit of fellowship
When the film ended, the evening was far from over. The Assyrian Association of Södertälje generously invited all visitors to stay for Shahro—a get-together with mingling, music, and dancing that proved to be exactly the kind of finale an evening like this deserved. Linda Hadiko, Josef Cacan, and Ninib Lahdo provided the singing, and the atmosphere in the hall had that special feeling that arises when an entire community celebrates something together: pride, joy, and a palpable sense of togetherness.
Assyria TV was on site throughout the evening to document the event, allowing more people who were unable to attend to experience the atmosphere afterward.
A Collaborative Work
The Assyrian National Federation in Sweden, which was one of the organizers of this weekend’s events, extends its warmest thanks to all co-organizers (federations and associations) and partners who made the weekend possible—with special thanks to the Assyrian Association of Södertälje for its gracious invitation to Shahro, as well as to Assyria TV for the documentation. But above all, it is those who created the film, those who appeared in it, and all the visitors who filled the theaters who together made the weekend what it was.
The weekend was an unforgettable experience for those who managed to make it there. A film screening and, for many, an evening that ended with fellowship and dancing. Athro Rhimo succeeded in bringing together Assyrians from near and far around a shared purpose—a reminder that our own stories, when they take center stage on the silver screen, still have the power to fill theaters and bring us together.
Athro Rhimo Premiere
