WELSH ARTISTS MAKE AN IMPACT IN THE SUDAN AND VISIT DARFUR

An ongoing project aimed at raising money for both Save the Children

In Darfur and for the arts in Wales and the Sudan

 

the project visit to Sudan lead by Mohamed hamza (Project concept and artist) Sian hamza (Project co-ordinator – Wales and Sudan) Prof. glenn jordan (director Butetown history and arts centre)  john mckernan (Photographer) David knight (artist) arrived in the Sudan on 26^th April 2008 greeting by mr mohamed khair (minister of culture – south Darfur) to show how arts call for Darfur project set up in Wales 2007 in partnership with save the children, butetown history and arts centre and crafty ways society can benefit in raising awareness of the issues in Darfur and to help the arts in Wales and the Sudan.

The aim of the project in Sudan was to create a correlation within the communities through art, culture and heritage.   artists today are concerned about communities thirst for knowledge and as cultural ambassadors of their countries can help develop peace between communities by arts programmes to portray a new light of an untapped world through their culture and heritage to an international audience.

The hospitality of the Sudanese people and hope that a rehabilitation of a greater understanding to their culture and way of life proves that arts call for Darfur project can connect communities through a peaceful process of perceptive.

Links were forged between the ministries of state in Khartoum, Sudan and ministries in south Darfur, universities, arts organisations and community groups in bringing together the people using arts as a means of communication.  the visit concreted a new beginning to work together in the meeting of our cultures.

the arts  call for Darfur project was launched in the national museum of Khartoum in Sudan, and the national museum in south Darfur with a high profile attendance of ministers, British embassy and council, artists, musicians, community groups and leaders to join us in our mission to raise funds, create awareness of the crisis and develop future links between the welsh assembly, universities and arts organisations in Wales to communicate with the Sudan in developing strategies to bring together the people.

the acknowledgement of arts within our societies has proven from the visit that a harmonious process of showcasing cultures to meet and discuss their heritage, with the assistance of knowledge and education to reach a wider audience.

The question of why Darfur crisis has reached this horrific stage is no longer relevant,  but from the visit the importance of urgency and need to forward the work  to bring communities together by learning from each other, working together will create an awareness of the crisis in Darfur and that support is needed not only for rehabilitation of the area, but also communicating through the eyes of our artists will see the future of a better image of changing our portrayal of our international issues to be part of making a difference.

the delegation group from arts call for Darfur was received with the uppermost form of respect and gratitude with open arms for talks to share in our project aims and objectives.  the group witnessed a coming together of all walks of life throughout the visit in Sudan.   

through the week activities of exhibitions of artists work from Wales and Sudanese artists, concerts, workshops with the children, tribal dances and a glimpse of traditional items and variety of costumes from all parts of Sudan and the region of Darfur came together in taking part in this unique visit.  the chants of the people are still to be remembered as we were leaving Darfur. ‘Put down your guns, and pick up your drums’

arts call for Darfur successful trip to Sudan has created a small change to our community interaction.

outcomes of the visit

to forge links with the ministries of Darfur and Wales in exchange programmes in administrative development

to forge links with universities in Sudan and Wales for educational programmes and exchanges

to forge links between artists in Wales and the Sudan to join the project to raise funds for Darfur by showcasing their works and talents as part of the project

to forge links with community groups in setting up programmes and exhibitions in the arts to funds for Darfur

to create a profile of the project for worldwide attention

Sudanese exhibition to come to Wales July 2008 to join the travelling exhibition (Sudanese plastic artists association)

Sudanese concert to come to Wales September 2008 (Funded by the ministry of culture, Khartoum)

Research and development into Sudanese arts history with an educational publication to sell to raise funds for arts call for Darfur (Funded by the Ministry of culture, Khartoum)

to encourage donations, business support and raise funds for the projects aims

to set up administrative centres in wales and sudan for arts call for Darfur for ongoing development

Summary of visit to Darfur – Sian hamza 2008