A group of Sudanese artists who lost everything in the war and found themselves in a camp for the displaced inside a school, have been turning hardship into opportunity.

Khartoum

### Sudanese Artists Fight to Keep Making Work

In the midst of a devastating war in Sudan, a group of displaced artists is turning their adversity into an avenue for expression and remembrance. These artists have sought refuge in a camp housed within a school, carrying with them little more than a few of their musical instruments. Among them is Zeytoun, a multi-talented singer and painter, who survived a perilous journey from the conflict in Omdurman to find safety in Port Sudan. Within the confines of a classroom, now serving as their makeshift home and studio, they strive to resurrect the fading memories of their homeland.

The losses these artists have endured are profound, with at least five colleagues reported killed and the vast majority having fled Sudan. This exodus has greatly diminished the remaining numbers of skilled practitioners essential for preserving Sudan's rich cultural heritage. Despite these challenges, they have not succumbed to despair. In the camp's courtyard, a section of these resilient individuals, specifically a troupe of theatrical actors, has been putting together an educational play, commissioned by a local NGO. Their choice to engage in creative production over idle waiting has not only provided them with a source of income but has also ignited a healing process among themselves and the wider displaced community.

Sudan's brutal conflict, marked by a year of fierce battles between the Sudanese army and rapid support forces, has critically damaged the nation’s cultural landscape, leaving artists without homes and transforming cities into desolate environments. The destruction encompasses theatres, museums, and fine art institutions, erasing cherished possessions, homes, civil documents, and irreplaceable memories. One artist, Amira, shares the personal toll of the war, including the loss of her own brother and all her paintings to fire. Nevertheless, she highlights the unique resilience artists possess in facing such hardships, cherishing the hope of someday aiding in the nurture of a future generation committed to leading the country towards a brighter path.

In the evenings, the camp transforms into a place of communal joy, hosting parties open to all, serving as a testament to the undying spirit and camaraderie among the displaced artists seeking to keep Sudan's cultural memory alive against all odds.



Sudanese Artists Fight to Keep Making Work

They were only able to bring a few of their musical instruments. Zeytoun, a versatile singer and painter, escaped with colleagues from the fighting in Omdurman and ended up in Port Sudan after a long and treacherous journey. From a classroom that serves as both home and workshop, they say they're trying to revive Sudan's lost memory. The loss was huge. At least five of our colleagues have been killed. The majority of those who survived have left Sudan, so our numbers are diminishing and very few remain who master the skills required for a continuation of the cultural heritage that we try to preserve. In the school courtyard, a group of theatrical actors rehearse an educational play commissioned by a local NGO. As a large number of performers staying together, we had either to sit idly by as displaced individuals waiting for handouts or, as creative people, start doing something. Rabih and his team say they chose the second option and began producing theatrical plays inside the camp. It allowed them to generate some income and at the same time start a process of healing for themselves and the displaced community. The impact and the trauma these people had to deal with are hard to measure. A year of fighting between the Sudanese army and the rapid support forces have turned Khartoum and other cities into a wasteland, including all aspects of cultural life. The war has uprooted artists and left them homeless and refugees. It's destroyed the entire cultural infrastructure of the country, including theatres, museums and fine art institutions. We lost everything, our belongings, our homes, our civil documentation. The war has stolen from us our beautiful memories and the best moments of our life and even our loved ones, including my own brother. But Amira adds, artists have a way of coping with hardship that other war victims may not have. My paintings caught fire and were all destroyed, but what's inside me is still here. My wish is that God helps our country and that I can contribute to the forming of a future generation that will take us in the right direction. At night, it's party time at the camp. Access and participation free for all. Mohamed Vaid, Al Jazeera, Port Sudan.

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