Exhibition: Identity, Belonging, and Change: A Historical Portrait of Everyday Life in Sudan
The Oxford University Africa Society is presenting an exhibition on Sudan showcasing how people in the North-East African country have built resilient communities over time.

It will be available for viewing from 21 to 22 October 2023 at 95 Gloucester Green, OX1 2BU, from 10:00 to 18:00 GMT daily.

The event launch takes place at 14:00 on 21 October. The exhibition was originally scheduled in April but was postponed to the current date to reconnect with participants as the conflict broke out, and to feature a fundraiser and a speaker.

The exhibition will include a bake sale fundraiser and an art auction organised in partnership with the Oxford Sudanese Society and Hadhreen Relief Fund. The proceeds from the fundraiser will support critical medical aid needed in Sudan. Aside these, you may kindly donate via this link towards the same goal: www.gofundme.com/f/oxford-sudanese-society-and-hadhreen-relief-fund.

The exhibition is part of the series ‘A History of Ordinary People in Africa (HOPIA)’, a cultural heritage project consisting of a series of historical exhibitions. It is undertaken by members of the Oxford University Africa Society in partnership with Fusion Arts Oxford and co-produced by the Cultural Programme, part of the Humanities Division at the University of Oxford.

Curatorial note about the current unrest in Sudan:

In the final days of our preparation towards this exhibition, which explores everyday life in Sudan, we have been struck by the conflict that broke out in the North-East African country. This is not only saddening and shocking, we are also deeply concerned about the manner in which the conflict is escalating and the trouble in which Sudanese people currently find themselves. We express our solidarity with the Sudanese people. Our hope and prayer are that there is a quick restoration of calm and peace. Our hearts also go to those who have lost their loved ones, and we wish all persons injured a speedy recovery.

As curators of this exhibition on Sudan, we have had the privilege to work with and listen to inspiring stories about the resilience of Sudanese people both in the past and in the present, from home to the diaspora. The exhibition lends credence to the rich and diverse culture of the people and their communities of belonging, their love, hospitality, and passion for standing for one another as a nation and the African continent as a whole. It also shows the desire of the ordinary people to work towards constructing a nation which was pulled together after the colonial invasion and was subsequently impacted by revolutionary and reactionary waves. Despite such large-scale disruptions, the people still hope to forge a nation driven by democratic principles such as the respect for the fundamental human rights of all citizens and the upholding of the rule of law. We, therefore, hope as we showcase these exhibits, our viewers will soberly explore them while keeping the people of Sudan and their nation in their prayers and positive thoughts, not just for a quick restoration of peace but also for a return to constitutional rule and the establishment of a civilian government.

The full statement of the Oxford University Africa Society regarding the conflict in Sudan is available on our social medial handle (Instagram: @Oxford_Africa)

To participate, kindly register for free via this link: www.eventbrite.com/e/identity-belonging-change-historical-portrait-of-everyday-life-in-sudan-tickets-716798502617?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
Date: 21 October 2023, 10:00 (Saturday, 2nd week, Michaelmas 2023)
Venue: 95 Gloucester Green, Oxford, OX1 2BU
Speaker: Bayan Abubakr (PhD Candidate of History, Yale University)
Organising department: Humanities Division
Part of: Humanities Cultural Programme
Booking required?: Required
Booking url: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/identity-belonging-change-historical-portrait-of-everyday-life-in-sudan-tickets-716798502617?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
Audience: Public
Editor: Belinda Clark