Culture Minister Discusses Reviving Cinema, Drama to Promote Acceptance and Diversity
Cairo – Sudanhorizon
Minister of Culture, Information and Tourism Khalid Al-Aiser held talks today (Monday) at the Sudanese Embassy in Cairo with Sudanese directors Saeed Hamed, Wael Abdel Qader, and Hassan Mustafa on ways to advance Sudanese cinema and drama, restore their leading role in the cultural scene, and strengthen their contribution to national recovery and peacebuilding efforts.
The meeting, attended by Sudan’s Ambassador to Egypt, Lieutenant General Imad El-Din Adawi, and the embassy’s Cultural Counselor, Dr. Asim Ahmed Hassan, discussed the ministry’s vision for developing cultural and artistic discourse in ways that promote peace and coexistence, establish a culture of acceptance and diversity management, and contribute to confronting hate speech and division.
The discussions also addressed the use of cinema and dramatic productions to tackle the social, psychological, and cultural impacts left by the war, while highlighting the violations and crimes suffered by civilians. Such productions, the meeting noted, could contribute to documenting the national memory and preserving a historical record of events.
The minister affirmed the ministry’s commitment to advancing the cultural sector and placing cinema and drama among its cultural priorities, describing them as major instruments of soft power, public awareness, and the shaping of collective consciousness. He also highlighted their role in documenting history, expressing society’s concerns and aspirations, and showcasing Sudan’s distinctive cultural and social diversity.
He noted that the current stage requires a new cultural and artistic discourse capable of addressing the consequences of the war, restoring confidence and hope, and strengthening national belonging. He stressed that investing in creativity and creative professionals is an investment in the Sudanese people and the country’s future.
The meeting emphasized the importance of creating a favorable environment for revitalizing the film and drama industries and benefiting from the expertise of Sudanese directors and creative professionals both inside and outside the country. The goal is to produce works characterized by artistic quality and human depth that reflect Sudan’s richness and diversity and support reconciliation and social cohesion.
The discussions also highlighted the importance of producing films and dramas involving creative professionals from across Sudan and drawing on the human experiences generated by the war. Such works could provide displaced people and others affected by the conflict with a platform to express their suffering and aspirations, helping to dismantle narratives of hatred and division while creating space for dialogue, tolerance, and acceptance of differences.
The participants envisioned this process ultimately contributing to a comprehensive national vision founded on peace, justice, human dignity, and respect for diversity.
Al-Aiser affirmed the Ministry of Culture, Information and Tourism’s commitment to expanding partnerships with creative professionals, artists, and directors and benefiting from their perspectives and expertise to develop the cultural sector. He stressed the importance of establishing frameworks that enable the sector to play its role during the recovery and reconstruction phase, given that culture is a fundamental component of state- and society-building.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the minister invited the three directors to visit Sudan at the earliest opportunity to follow up on the ideas and proposals discussed and translate them into practical projects and programs that can contribute to advancing Sudanese cinema and drama and strengthening their role in supporting peace and social cohesion.
The meeting comes as part of the Ministry of Culture, Information and Tourism’s efforts to restore the cultural sector’s standing and strengthen its role in the national recovery project, while activating the contribution of cultural and creative industries to documenting Sudan’s collective memory, safeguarding national identity, and building bridges of communication and dialogue.
The ministry considers culture one of the key pillars for peacebuilding and rebuilding Sudanese society.
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