Over the life span that reaches 80 years, 65 of which in Egypt, Mr. Volkhard Windfuhr is not just a guest, yet he has interacted with Egyptian society, its events, language, and education… He adored its people, streets and cafes... He became a real Egyptian carrying a German nationality… He is always traveling to his country for short trips, turning back to Egypt with promising dreams and ambitions.
Mr. Windfuhr, Chairman of the Foreign Press Association (FPA), graduated from the faculty of Arts, Ain Shams University, and then he appointed by the Egyptian Radio in the German-speaking radio department.
He is a role model of a foreign correspondent who respects Egypt, his country and has optimally performed his media message abiding by professional standards. He has always worked on imparting facts without falsification or exaggeration, and his work has never been affected by political tendencies.
“Throughout my career as a media professional in Egypt, I stuck to what I see and sure of; I never sought the interesting news, nor was it my goal in itself,” he said.
His father died in World War II, and his mother traveled to her homeland, Germany, but at the age of 15, he decided to remain in Egypt and to obtain “Thanaweya Amma” certificate, after getting German secondary-school one from the German school in Zamalek. He sought to integrate into Egyptian society; as he always says, “Whoever wants to understand Egyptians, needs to master the Arabic language well.”
Volkhard has witnessed the major and pivotal events of Egypt's modern history including the 1956, 1967 and 1973 wars, as well as 25th January and 30th June revolutions.
He is a close friend to a galaxy of prominent Egyptian writers, artists, and intellectuals like well-known Egyptian writer Tawfik Al-Hakim. He translated many works for Al-Hakim to the German language.
His precious career path has culminated with the granted to him by Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. He believes that his honor is a tribute to all Egyptian journalists and foreign correspondents in Egypt.
Concerning his ultimate love for Egyptian people, he says; “What is really distinguishes the Egyptians from the rest of the world peoples’, is their sense of pride in Egyptian national identity, their abidance by morals, values as well as their deep love for their homeland since ancient times.”
He also narrated a touching situation in his life that happened to him on his way back after covering he High Dam construction in Aswan, he said; “When my car overturned on the desert road and there were no hospitals or ambulances, a number of Egyptian citizens showered me with their care; one of them drove me to the hospital, with my blood on his hands, at this moment I realized that I must be an integral part of this kind and lovely people.”
Moreover, one of Windfuhr's most famous professional positions that reflected his credibility, when he issued a statement, criticizing the foreign coverage of the incidents in Egypt following Rabaa sit-in dispersal.
Contributed by Nada Mustafa
http://www.fpa.org.il/?categoryId=89053
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