Sudanese artists in Port Sudan work to preserve culture after war destroys studios

Artists in Sudan are trying to preserve cultural traditions and keep working after the war forced many from their homes and destroyed studios and workspaces. In Port Sudan, visual artist and theatre director Awad Haroun has been rebuilding his life after fleeing Al-Halfaya in Khartoum North when fighting broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces in April 2023. He is among displaced artists now using performance, workshops and community projects to keep cultural activity alive.

Haroun, 45, left his home with only a few clothes, two books and some torn drawing papers, expecting to return soon. Instead, he lost his home, artistic workspace and the tools he needed to earn a living. In Port Sudan, he has taken part in theatrical performances at the Wasel Festival, organised by Ahalina Cultural Group in partnership with UNESCO, and has led traditional arts workshops with cultural groups.

He said losing his tools and workspace had not taken away his skills or ability to create. The article says displaced artists have also found shelter in an old school in Port Sudan, where they helped clean and prepare the building for families forced from their homes. Haroun said uncertainty over possible eviction has left them unsure where they will go next.

The situation reflects the wider strain the war has placed on civilians, including those whose livelihoods depend on cultural work, education and public gatherings. The conflict has had a broader impact on Sudan's cultural life, damaging heritage sites and disrupting artists' incomes across the country. That matters because culture in Sudan is not only an artistic field but also a means of community support, memory and social cohesion during displacement.

Haroun said art cannot replace a lost home or end the war, but it can help preserve memories and give children space to play and express themselves. Haroun founded Ahalina Cultural Group in 2013 with young people, using theatre, visual arts, music and puppetry to engage children and promote peace and social cohesion. The group's motto, "From the ashes, we will rise," has taken on added meaning as artists try to continue their work despite the destruction around them.

Their efforts show how local cultural networks are adapting to wartime displacement while trying to maintain a sense of continuity. What remains unclear is how long the displaced artists in Port Sudan will be able to stay in the school building and whether they will be forced to move again. The article also does not say how many artists are involved or how many families are using the shelter.

For now, the immediate focus is on whether these cultural initiatives can continue amid ongoing displacement and uncertainty.

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