Three years of loss and displacement, yet Sudan’s arts and culture remain resilient despite the destruction of theaters, cultural centers, and cinemas, as well as the absence of official cultural institutions. Nevertheless, numerous activities and events have emerged both inside and outside the country.
Since the outbreak of the war, the safe cities have witnessed a cultural resurgence, especially after a large number of Sudanese creatives, who fled the capital Khartoum—the epicenter of the armed conflict—relocated to cities such as Wad Madani (the capital of the Gezira State), Port Sudan (the temporary administrative capital), and Gedaref. Dramatists have been active in presenting theatrical performances at displacement camps, focusing on mental health issues, promoting peace, and calling for the cessation of violence.
Ongoing Activities
In Port Sudan, which hosted displaced creatives from Khartoum, the Sudanese Writers and Artists Union organized numerous events, including theater performances, musical nights, and poetry sessions. Meanwhile, the Sudanese Plastic Artists Union held art exhibitions and workshops for children.
In the city of Gedaref, in the eastern part of the country, there has been a continuous cultural movement organized by the “Shorouk Forum,” which hosted more than 20 writers and artists. Additionally, the “Shalil Café” hosted music events, alongside activities organized by the “Awad Mashawi Cultural Forum.”
In the city of Kosti, in southern Sudan, the Free Theater Festival was held along with several dramatic performances. Similarly, the Theater Production Area in the city of Damazin organized various events calling for peace, denouncing war, and highlighting women’s empowerment issues through the “Girls’ Theater” project. In the Blue Nile State, the closing performances of the “Girls’ Theater” workshop addressed issues such as child marriage, the protection of children from sexual violence, tribal conflicts, child discrimination, women’s empowerment, and domestic violence.
The visual arts also played a significant role in depicting the horrors of war through various exhibitions in cities across Sudan. One such exhibition, “No to War and Against the Hate Speech,” featured more than 100 visual artists, while an online exhibition was held to support the residents of El Fasher.
Unfortunately, the art galleries in Khartoum were subjected to destruction and theft, with priceless paintings, manuscripts, archival materials, and display screens being stolen, valued at thousands of dollars.
Active Roles
In an interview with Mishawir, actor and director Ali Younis stated, “The artist and the intellectual have not abandoned their role in healing the wounds and keeping the flame of hope alive despite the war and the challenging conditions that Sudanese creatives face during displacement inside and outside the country.”
He added, “Cultural and artistic work during these three years of war has remained effective, and creators in all fields continue to work with their art and ideas both within Sudan and in exile.”
Regarding the Sudanese presence in global festivals, Younis commented, “The war and difficult economic conditions did not prevent artists, bands, and groups from presenting new productions and excelling artistically at international festivals. Sudanese works have reached non-Sudanese audiences in Tunisia, Egypt, and France. The Theater Production Area team participated in the ‘Carthage Theater Days’ in Tunisia, and several Sudanese theater artists presented performances at the Louvre Museum in Paris, introducing the attire of power during the Christian Nubian Kingdom from the 6th to the 14th centuries.”
Younis believes that while wars and crises psychologically exhaust creatives, they also fuel their determination to continue their dreams and express ideas.
Successes of Sudanese Cinema
Despite the challenges of the armed conflict, Sudanese cinema has produced numerous short, feature, and documentary films both inside and outside the country.
In Port Sudan, filmmaker Mohamed Fawi established “Fawi Films” for film production. While based there, he created several documentaries for various channels, employing many young people new to the industry. He also held workshops focused on the impact of the arts on society, in addition to producing two films: one about a music group formed from three bands of displaced individuals from Khartoum, White Nile, and Wad Madani who relocated to Port Sudan; and another about a Sudanese intellectual and musician from the Nuba Mountains living in Port Sudan, who wishes to revive his mother tongue.
Film producer and director Yaser Faiz told Mishawir, “Film production that no longer relies on Sudanese funding is able to continue, thanks to financing partnerships. This has enabled the production of many films, including short, feature, and documentary films. Most Sudanese producers and directors either originally lived in other countries or relocated to neighboring nations due to the war.”
He added, “Many young filmmakers have been able to produce a series of short films inside Sudan, despite the ongoing conflict and the halt of production institutions.”
Faiz believes that Sudanese cinema has achieved significant success during the war, with films making an impact at international festivals, winning several awards, and leaving important marks in Arab, African, and global cinema.
