Sudanese Artists Rebuild Lives and Culture Amidst War's Devastation

Port Sudan, Sudan – Amidst the destruction of war, Sudanese artists like 45-year-old visual artist and theatre director Awad Haroun are striving to preserve their nation's cultural heritage. Haroun was forced to flee his home and artistic workspace in Al-Halfaya, Khartoum North, after conflict erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary in April 2023. He relocated to Port Sudan with his family, leaving behind most of his possessions, including his tools and materials.

Despite the immense personal losses, Haroun has found ways to utilize his skills in sculpture, design, and decoration in Port Sudan. He has participated in theatrical performances at the Wasel Festival, organized by Ahalina Cultural Group in partnership with UNESCO, and has led traditional arts workshops. Haroun, who co-founded the Ahalina cultural group in 2013, uses various art forms to engage with young people and promote peace and social cohesion.

“Losing my tools does not mean I have lost my skills, and losing my workspace does not mean I have lost my ability to create,” Haroun told Al Jazeera, emphasizing his resilience. Displaced artists, including Haroun, found temporary shelter at an old school in Port Sudan, assisting in its preparation for other families displaced by the conflict. However, concerns about potential eviction loom, creating uncertainty about their future locations.

Haroun believes that art, while unable to replace lost homes or end the war, plays a crucial role in preserving memories, fostering community bonds, and providing children with spaces for expression and play. The motto of the Ahalina cultural group, “From the ashes, we will rise,” serves as a personal mantra for Haroun to continue creating despite the war's impact.

The conflict has severely affected Sudan’s cultural landscape, damaging heritage sites and disrupting artists' livelihoods. In June 2026, UNESCO estimated a $30 million funding gap for Sudan’s cultural sector, representing profound personal losses for artists who have been killed, displaced, or forced to abandon their studios, galleries, and creative tools.

In April 2024, the Artists and Writers Union in Port Sudan reported sheltering over 112 displaced artists and cultural professionals. UNESCO’s initiatives in Port Sudan, as of April 2026, have supported more than 350 artists, women, girls, and internally displaced cultural professionals, aiding efforts to sustain Sudan’s cultural life amidst the ongoing conflict.

Musician and filmmaker Asim Abdelaziz, 31, also fled his home in El Obeid, North Kordofan state, due to escalating fighting and drone attacks, arriving in Port Sudan in November 2023. Separated from his family, Abdelaziz lives in a shelter for displaced artists and continues to use music to preserve Sudan’s cultural heritage and unite communities.

Abdelaziz has collaborated with the local Artists and Writers Union, UNESCO, and community organizations, as well as the Ministry of Culture and Information, on music programs addressing social issues like hate speech and racism. He believes art can counteract the divisions exacerbated by the war by promoting diversity and peaceful coexistence. “I have seen firsthand how hate speech affects people’s lives,” Asim told Al Jazeera. “Through music, I try to remind Sudanese people that we are all brothers and sisters, and that war does not represent who we are.”

His project, Mokhalaya, founded a year ago, aims to document and archive traditional Sudanese music and rhythms, with aspirations to showcase Sudan’s rich musical traditions at international festivals. Abdelaziz emphasizes that preserving heritage is vital for maintaining Sudan’s cultural identity during the war.

Abdelqader Hashem, secretary of the Red Sea State Writers and Artists Union, confirmed the union's support for artists and families displaced by the conflict. The union established a shelter for displaced artists in Port Sudan and sought support from various organizations to meet their basic needs. Beyond shelter, they have facilitated the participation of displaced artists in local cultural activities and community awareness programs on issues like drug use. Projects in partnership with UNESCO have also involved training children in displacement camps in handicrafts.