Studios destroyed, traditions saved: Artists fight to save Sudan’s culture
Summary
Sudan’s war has displaced artists, destroyed studios and disrupted cultural work. In Port Sudan, Awad Haroun and other artists are using theatre, visual arts and music to support displaced communities and keep cultural traditions alive, despite losing homes and work tools.Key Facts
- Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces began in April 2023.
- Visual artist and theatre director Awad Haroun fled Al-Halfaya, Khartoum North, with his wife and son after fighting began.
- Haroun founded the Ahalina cultural group in 2013 to use arts activities with young people and promote peace and social cohesion.
- In Port Sudan, Haroun has taken part in theatrical performances and led traditional arts workshops.
- Haroun and other displaced artists have sheltered in an old school in Port Sudan, where they helped prepare the building for displaced families; they face possible eviction.
- UNESCO estimated in June 2026 that Sudan’s cultural sector faced a $30 million funding gap.
- UNESCO reported that the Artists and Writers Union in Port Sudan had sheltered more than 112 displaced artists and cultural professionals by April 2024.
- UNESCO said its Port Sudan initiatives had benefited more than 350 artists, women, girls and internally displaced cultural professionals by April 2026.
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