Stories of Return: Youth Art Graces the Walls of Omdurman
07 June, 2026
By: Resala Abdelrahim
Khartoum, (Sudanow)_ After three years of war, Omdurman is stirring back to life, opening its arms to returning residents and dressing the celebration with murals and colors. From the start of the Eid festivities, youth-led cultural and entertainment events attracted large numbers of young people and rekindled their love for a homeland recovering from the scars of conflict and destruction.
To shed light on these initiatives, Sudanow interviewed the young artist Sowanda Adil Saad Yousif, known as “Wanda,” about her experience founding “Shurfat Khayal” (Imagination’s Balcony), a creative space dedicated to developing handicrafts and teaching young people the fundamentals of art. Wanda said she had followed many events abroad where artists organize recreational trips and art camps to exchange skills and teach beginners crafts and artistic basics. She asked herself: why not stage such events in our homeland, Sudan? What began as an idea soon became a balcony that opened windows of creativity for many young men and women and turned into a lived reality.
The first event took place at Al-Buhayra Resort, where girls practiced a range of handicrafts—pottery, making accessories, decorating mirrors—alongside painting and drawing, exchanging skills in an atmosphere full of enthusiasm and encouragement.
With Eid approaching, Wanda added, the management of Cafe Poco Loco in Omdurman partnered with them to organize a street exhibition that brought together many young artists. The celebration that resulted combined painting, handicrafts, and folk arts, generating unprecedented excitement.
Sudanow spoke to some visitors who came to the exhibition, and expressed admiration for the displayed paintings and pottery. “I feel proud and grateful for this excellent organization,” said young artist Salawat Abdelrahim. “Artists were given a wonderful space to express themselves during these days. This exhibition feels like a beautiful Eid gift to all young artists.”
“Khadija Yousif said: ‘I felt like a novice, but when I saw paintings similar to mine hanging in front of the public I gained confidence. I am determined to develop my work and take part in events like this to become a well-known artist whose works are sold to the public.’”
In this way, Shurfat Khayal inspired many young creative artists and gave them the confidence to overcome a bleak reality and repaint it in brighter, more beautiful tones. so that the homeland becomes a mirror reflecting the art and creativity of these sincere souls.
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