Reconciliation after terror

Lola Salines was 28 years old when she was shot and killed in the Bataclan terror attack in Paris. 28-year-old Samy Amimour was one of the shooters and was shot and killed by the police. Three years later, 28-year-old Maren Ueland is beheaded by ISIS sympathizers in the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. Now, the father of Lola and Samy and Maren’s mother meet in Oslo for a conversation about reconciliation and forgiveness. The conversation is arranged by the Nobels Peace Center and Marengarden Peacebuilding Foundation. At the same time, the documentary film «Finding Aicha» will premiere in Norway.

The film, made by the French Irish documentary film maker Myriam Francois, tells the story about Azdyne Amimours search for his grandchild, Samy’s daughter. Lola’s father, George Salines, is also playing a part in the film. It has been nominated for best documentary in «Cannes Shorts».

Important dialogue principle

“The meeting between the two French fathers and the work Irene Ueland does through her foundation Marengarden are very good examples of an important dialogue principle, namely, to contribute to reconciliation and forgiveness”, said Kjersti Fløgstad, Executive Director of the Nobel Peace Center.

After her daughter was killed, Irene Ueland started the foundation Marengarden, which is working to counter terrorism and violent extremism. One thing she is trying to achieve, is a meeting with the mothers of her daughters’ killers.

“I believe these mothers are having a very difficult time, as well. If we can meet and build a dialogue, we can contribute to reconciliation and prevention of extremism”, Ueland said.

ABOUT THE EVENT

“When reconciliation seems impossible” is a film premiere and dialogue event by the Nobel Peace Center and Marengarden. The event is at Klingenberg cinema in Oslo 30 March at 17:00 – 19:00. You will meet: Azdyne Amimour, Georges Salines, Irene Ueland, Myriam Francois and moderator Marte Spurkland.

More information and tickets: https://www.nobelpeacecenter.org/en/events/when-reconciliation-seems-impossible

ABOUT THE FILM “FINDING AICHA”

The French/Irish independent journalist and documentary filmmaker Myriam Francois has been following Azdyne Amimour for three years, in his search for his unknown grandchild. The girl’s father and Azdyne’s son was one of the terrorists in the Bataclan attack in Paris in November 2015. As his life and family unravelled in the wake of the attacks, Azdyne struggled to deal with guilt and shame, and with understanding the path that led his “quiet and thoughtful” son to perpetrating France’s worst terrorist attack in modern history. In the face of public disgust and fear, he actively sought ways to contribute to the national attempt to understand the tragedy, and to heal society and himself. In the years since 2015, one objective has sustained him – a vow to find the granddaughter he has never met and bring her home. "Finding Aicha" has been nominated for best documentary in "Cannes Shorts". The film is an MPWR production for CBC and BBC.

For more information or interviews, contact: ibr@nobelpeacecenter.org