Panel Discussion: Preserving Sudanese Music & Heritage in Wartime

Panel Discussion: Preserving Sudanese Music and Heritage in Wartime (Part of the Nouggara Festival)

Join us for a moving and insightful panel discussion as part of the Nouggara Festival, focusing on the preservation of Sudanese cultural heritage amidst ongoing conflict and displacement. With backgrounds in music, anthropology, and refugee engagement, our panelists and chair bring unique perspectives on how Sudan’s cultural resilience has endured despite adversity. Together, they will explore the impact of war on Sudan’s culture and the crucial role of the arts in sustaining identity and community.

Panelists:

• Dr. Ahmed Al-Shahi is a social anthropologist with the University of Oxford’s Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. As co-founder and trustee of The Sudanese Programme, Dr. Al-Shahi has conducted extensive research on northern Sudan, focusing on Sudanese social structures and cultural practices at risk due to ongoing conflict. His work provides important context for understanding Sudan’s cultural heritage as both vulnerable and resilient.

• Peter Verney has dedicated decades to documenting Sudanese music and supporting musicians striving to uphold and evolve Sudan’s musical heritage. Since the 1970s, Peter has recorded Sudanese musicians, preserving traditional sounds and practices such as Zar sessions. Later, he became deeply involved in human rights and censorship issues related to Sudanese arts. Today, Peter works with contemporary Sudanese artists, supporting the role of music in fostering resilience and solidarity during Sudan’s current challenges. Chair:
• Danny Vincent : a Refugee Engagement Officer and one of the founding Directors of Bristol Refugee Festival with over a decade of experience in refugee support and advocacy. Currently, he coordinates the Lorraine Ayensu Refugee Arts Fund, facilitating access to creative opportunities for refugees and asylum seekers. Danny is also a trustee at Sudafest and brings valuable insight into how displaced communities sustain and express cultural identity through the arts.

This discussion will dive into the role of music, heritage, and artistic expression in preserving Sudanese identity amidst conflict. At a time when Sudan faces significant challenges, including violence and displacement, traditional arts serve as cultural lifelines and forms of resistance. Our speakers will share their perspectives on the impact of conflict on Sudan’s cultural practices, efforts to safeguard and document its artistic legacy, and the power of global support to protect these traditions.

This is an invaluable chance to hear from those who have devoted their lives to preserving Sudanese heritage and to understand the vital importance of the arts in maintaining a strong cultural identity during times of crisis.

This event is part of the Nouggara Festival, brought to you by Sudafest

Host or Publisher Sudafest