1001... steps/projects

The Helsinki Arab Film Festival [HelAFF] is dedicated to enriching the Finnish cultural landscape by showcasing Arabic cinema and culture. As the only festival of its kind in Finland, it serves to connect local audiences with the diverse narratives of Arab filmmakers. Following the success of our inaugural edition in December 2024, HelAFF will continue to create an annual platform that fosters creativity, dialogue, and appreciation for Arab cinema, ultimately bridging cultures and celebrating the art of storytelling.

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Join HelAFF upcoming edition: September 8-13, 2025 in Helsinki.

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Visit HelAFF's official Website Here

Our team has been facilitating tailor-made Cultural Retreats in the Middle-East since 2019. Focusing on performing arts such as music, dance education, and folk arts, our retreats immerse participants in authentic local culture. We aim to build cultural bridges, break down stereotypes, and enhance personal skills and understanding of Eastern music and movement.

 

Examples of Our Previous Retreats in Egypt:

• Cairo

• Saqqara/Dahshur

• Fayoum Oasis  

• Luxor

 

Highlights Include:

• Dance laboratorium and final showcase with Egyptian musicians

• Introduction to Folk music and dances (Tanoura Sufi, Nubian, Port-Saidi Semsemeyya, Bambuti, Tahtib, Ghawazee...)

• Introduction to drumming

• Countryside Folk Photography

• Safari and Bedouin Experience

• Felucca ride on the Nile   

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Join us for an unforgettable experience that immerses you in the rich tapestry of Middle Eastern culture! 

Morgane Hoarau and Azer Sawiris, co-founders of 1001 Steps, founded the organisation  in 2017 with the aim of documenting Egypt's living - and lost - cultural heritage, particularly in dance, music practices, and popular games that are gradually disappearing. We strive to highlight the lesser-known artists both in Egypt and abroad.

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Our documentation efforts are part of an ongoing project involving research, archiving, artist interviews, and field visits, particularly during Mawalid (local saints' celebrations). The results will be shared gradually through video fragments on our Youtube channel and the upcoming "Stories/Documentation" section on this website.     

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In addition, 1001 Steps gladly collaborates with other private documentation initiatives, including: 

• The Upper-Egyptian Ghawazee Music & Dance Repertoire: This project, launched by American artist Shining, documents the Banat Mazen Family of traditional entertainers (Beit Mazen) and a website dedicated to them was created in 2022 to showcase the findings of her field research in Luxor. 

1001 Steps contribution: Sponsoring and executing the English translations of the Banat Mazen repertoire (2022-2023)

•  The Raqs Sharqi Museum: This project, initiated by Lenka Badriyah presents her unique collection of more than 400 antique and vintage items that are carefully archived and preserved.    

1001 Steps contribution/Morgane [Morjana] Hoarau: Translations into English of Naima 'Akef Baladi We Kheffa film brochure (2021) 

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Through these efforts, we aim to preserve and celebrate Egypt's rich cultural heritage. 

1001 Steps has been producing private shows in Cairo since 2023.

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Folk Shows: 

• Medhat Fawzi Center for the Art of Stick Fighting/Tahtib Ancient Martial Art - Rawabet Art Space, 2025

• Shob Kenni Band /"Funoon Taqalidi" Nubian Customs and Traditional Arts - Rawabet Art Space, 2024 

• Mohamed Boreqa'a Tahtib Stick dancing group - Saqqara Palm Club, 2023 

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Fanana Oriental Dance and Music Shows (co-produced with Polish partners Dominika Suchecka and Kasia Wronka): 

• Fanana Vol. 4 Gala - May 2025, Rawabet Art Space 

• Fanana Vol. 3 Gala - May 2024, Rawabet Art Space

• Fanana Vol. 2 Gala - May 2023, El Warsha Theatre  

 

Additionally, our team has also been producing various curricula related to music history, theory, and dance, as well as scientific literature compilations and promotional content related to Folk Arts.

 

We invite you to join us in celebrating these vibrant performances and the rich traditions they represent.   ​