Khartoum International Music Festival

Unfortunately I was not one of the lucky audiences of Khartoum International Music Festival who have been able to view its live programs and activities because of my demanding job at The Citizen newspaper; yet I followed up events of the festival eagerly through the Blue Nile, Al Khartoum and Omdurman channels which have made a significant and in-depth coverage to its all activities and events.

Today, apart from the political and economic events of which I have been writing on during the last period, I would like to share my dear readers my impressions on this particular concert.

The festival, which was resumed after a hiatus that lasted more than 15 years, ended its tenth round last Monday, showed the participation of several Middle Eastern, African, and European countries whereas it have brought bands and musical troupes as well as local and international singers from Saudi Arabia, France, Qatar, Mauritania, Iran, Britain, Italy, Spain, Germany, and China.

Because of this extensive presence and turnout, for more than a week, audiences of the Khartoum Music Festival have got the opportunity of tuning and identifying this cultural diversity from all over the world which has played a major role in making the festival succeed.

The success of the festival, as described by the head of the festival’s higher committee, Al-Mahi Suleiman, “was demonstrated in the audience that followed its different activities throughout its duration of nine nights". Whereas the festival witnessed an unprecedented turn-out and it was particularly clear in the closing ceremony at the National Theatre in Omdurman.

Such a festival and events are very important in the process of linking our arts and cultures to the international levels.

We hope that such festivals will continue on annual basis like it used to before, so as to give our local music the chance to reach all the parts of the world as well as richening our music scene through the cultural diversity of the different nationalities who participate in such festivals.