Moscow celebrates Sudanese art and culture

Moscow hosted a week-long exhibition of Sudanese art and culture as part of celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Sudan is also hoping to draw more tourists from Russia to help spur the economy and diversify from oil.

“Russia is one of the first states that recognized Sudan’s independence in 1965. The diplomatic exchange started on 5th January 1965. Our embassy in Moscow is one of the biggest embassies in the country,” said Sudan’s ambassador to Russia, Nadir Yusuf.

The exhibition in Moscow was organised as a feast of Sudanese culture, highlighting the uniqueness of over 500 different ethnic groups.

From traditional dress to dancing, to cuisine and henna tattoos, visitors were encouraged to practically experience the exhibition for themselves.

“I think part of the message is now reaching the audience as they interact and dance with us. This will remain in their memory. This is the main purpose of our coming here,” said one of the artists, Dafalla.

Organizers of the exhibition said promoting Sudan as a tourist destination would be one of the most significant outcomes of the event.

Sudan has struggled to attract foreign tourists because of tight visa rules, a lack of hotel infrastructure and a severe branding problem after years of armed conflicts in the country.

Khartoum wants to promote tourism to help offset the loss of much of its oil since South Sudan became independent five years ago.