SUDAN: Artists from different communities in Sudan hold cultural festival to try and promote peace and reconciliation in Darfur

Record ID: 349085

  • Title: SUDAN: Artists from different communities in Sudan hold cultural festival to try and promote peace and reconciliation in Darfur
  • Date: 9th May 2008
  • Summary: VARIOUS EXTERIORS OF SUDAN NATIONAL THEATRE (2 SHOTS)
  • Embargoed: 24th May 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Sudan
  • Country: Sudan
  • Topics: War / Fighting,Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz
  • Reuters ID: LVA5G3QJQL18MKPBTJ9KG3Z5PZVT
  • Story Text: Artists from different communities in Sudan held a cultural festival to try and promote peace in the country's troubled Darfur region.
    They also launched the 'Artist's Alliance for Peace in Darfur' which they will use to lobby the country's leaders to find effective ways to end the crisis in the region.
    "The Artist's Alliance for peace in Darfur, it's a cultural, voluntary, humanitarian organisation and is interested in using culture and art to address issues pertaining to peace in Sudan. As you know the current situation in Darfur became a big concern not only here but around the world and in Darfur in particular," said Abdalla Adam Khater, Head of the Artists Alliance for Peace in Darfur.
    Members of the alliance say they believe that the organisation holds sway with many people because they say art is universal. They hope that the government will support them in their efforts to spread the message of peace among the Sudanese people.
    "On our way to Nyala, we met some rebels coming out of the forest with arms and they stopped our car, opened the door, they recognised us and ask all of us to come down to eat something with them and they warmly welcomed us. Although they were holding arms, they shook hands with us and remembered our names. Each time they met us they chat with us and insist to drink tea with them. So it seems to me that the musicians can make a difference," said Balgese Awad, an actress.
    The festival also included a demonstration of a council of elders meeting which was traditionally used in many communities to solve conflict.
    "This concert one includes all popular arts and folklore for sending a cultural message to Darfur and the international community: War is bad! We want peace but the real and realistic peace, not that one behind the curtains. From here we send a message to both the government and the Darfur factions to get together, sit on the ground and agree on peace because it's useful for all," said Mohamad Hessein, a festival participant.
    U.N. officials say 300,000 people may have died in five years of revolt in Darfur. Another 2.5 million have been made homeless by the violence, which Washington calls genocide.
    Khartoum rejects that term and blames Western media for exaggerating the conflict in which it says only around 10,000 people have died.
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