Bridging Art and Technology: UNESCO Supports Sudanese Artists in Cairo

The UNESCO Regional Office for Egypt and Sudan recently attended a public event hosted by the Sudanese Artist Union—Cairo Branch, emphasizing its ongoing support for Sudanese cultural professionals amid challenging times. The event featured a lecture by Prof Abdo Osman from Khartoum University’s Faculty of Art, titled “The Seven Hypotheses,” which explored the captivating intersection of color and music. This innovative talk highlighted how synchronizing music with color visuals can significantly enhance the sensory experience, bringing new dimensions of enjoyment to audiences.

The lecture also discussed breakthrough technologies, such as color-to-music scanners and electronic implants, that could potentially expand music accessibility to include those who are visually and hearing impaired, demonstrating a significant step towards inclusivity in the arts.

In response to the ongoing conflict that began in 2023, UNESCO has been intensifying its support to Sudanese artists and cultural professionals through the UNESCO Aschberg Programme, under the frameworks of the 2005 Cultural Diversity Convention and the 1980 Recommendation on the Status of Artists. This assistance facilitates rapid damage assessment of cultural institutions and supports advocacy efforts to safeguard and promote the cultural rights of artists and musicians.

Recognizing the crucial role of artists and cultural professionals, especially during times of conflict, UNESCO underscores the importance of their work in healing, addressing trauma, facilitating reconciliation, and building societal resilience. Through artistic expression, these cultural actors are envisioned as messengers of peace, paving the way towards a more peaceful and resilient future.