EL FASHER CULTURAL CENTER AMBITIOUS, UNDERFUNDED

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 000891 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/SPG, S/CRS, SE WILLIAMSON DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SCUL SOCI SU SUBJECT: EL FASHER CULTURAL CENTER AMBITIOUS, UNDERFUNDED ¶1. SUMMARY. Situated on the outskirts of the bustling central market, the El Fasher Cultural Center includes a theater, music room and public library. The Center, managed under the watchful eye of General Manager Ibrahim Abbakr has eight departments - art and painting, folklore, music and bands, drama, children and youth, poetry and writing, the library, and a general activities department, which includes handicrafts and languages. Although a part of the Ministry of Culture, Abbakr told FieldOff that his center has no budget for programs, only for staff salaries. The center offers language, music and other types of classes for a small fee in order to raise funds, and occasionally organizes handicraft sales. The Center also is affiliated with El Fasher's own movie cinema, which is in need of revitalization. However, Abbakr noted that such activities generally break even without turning much of a profit. Despite financial challenges, Abbakr continues to develop projects that he hopes will ONE day help to bring lasting peace to Darfur. END SUMMARY. -------------- Radio Station -------------- ¶2. Abbakr passionately described his highest priority project - a radio station dedicated to cultural programming. In the past, the Cultural Center was allowed to broadcast cultural programs on the El Fasher radio station. However, he complained, the El Fasher station will only allocate limited time for these programs, and has a short broadcast range (approx 40 km). Therefore, the center would like to establish its own radio station devoted to programming that promotes cultural understanding, reconciliation and peace building efforts. ¶3. Abbakr described how a folklore hour, done in different local languages and celebrating the various Darfur tribal cultures, could help promote cultural appreciation and diversity. He mused that the station could even have children's programming, teaching about tolerance, non-violent conflict resolution and possibly even healthy habits. Abbakr said that a detailed study, including technical and personnel requirements for establishment of the station, had been completed, and that he had selected a location for the station. However the center would likely need most, if not all, of the technical equipment - transmitter, etc. - some of which would likely be difficult to get due to existing sanctions. -------------- Cinema Renovation -------------- ¶4. Another project that Abbakr hoped to complete was renovation of El Fasher's only cinema. Previously an open air cinema that showed Bollywood and American films, the cinema has been closed since the conflict in Darfur began, and has fallen into disrepair. Without the cinema, there is no regular entertainment in El Fasher, and nothing to keep the youth engaged and out of trouble, Abbakr lamented. The cultural center is currently overseeing renovations to the building and repairs to damaged walls. Abbakr has also spoken to a film company in Khartoum about sub-leasing or renting films for use in the El Fasher cinema. However the film projection equipment needs to be replaced, and the theater needs new seating. -------------- Public Library and Theater -------------- ¶5. The Cultural Center houses a small public library collection. Most of the Arabic books are very old, Abbakr explained, as the library was looted after the Darfur conflict began. There is a small English-language book section, donated by the British Council when it closed up El Fasher operations, and a children's section. The library includes several large rooms which are available for events, and appears well trafficked (on the day of Fieldoff's visit, there were two groups of Master's students from the University of El Fasher, as well as a handful of researchers, in the main library area). FieldFSNs report that the library is a popular recreation spot. Abbakr said that a local businessman rents the theater in the cultural center complex and shows movies on a tattered screen at night. ¶6. The library could benefit from a more modern selection of books, including academic and reference tools, as well as children's books (there is plenty of space for donations). Abbakr would also like to procure a projector, and would be "very happy" to screen selections from the Embassy's public diplomacy collection in a multi-media room, or in the theater. He is also seeking computer donations, in order to create an internet caf (Note: There are no internet cafs in El Fasher, and the vast majority of citizens do not have computers or internet access in their homes. End note). Abbakr would like to offer internet services for free, possibly on a reservation basis, but speculated that the center would probably have to charge a small fee to cover electricity and service provider fees. In the theater area, Abbakr would like to build a roof or protective covering over the open air seating area, in order to facilitate use of the space during the warm late morning and afternoon hours. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶7. Both the Cultural Center and its manager are impressive. Abbakr believes in the power of art and culture in transforming the conflict in Darfur and healing its wounds. The meager offerings currently available at the center clearly attract a following that is hungry for knowledge, entertainment and some distraction from the grinding conflict in Darfur. With little else to do in El Fasher for enjoyment (besides sporting events),the center presents some interesting possibilities and a prime venue for US-sponsored events. In fact, the Field Office plans to hold the first Independence Day representational reception in El Fasher on July 4, 2008, at the Cultural Center, incorporating some of the music and dance groups it sponsors. ¶8. In the short term, English and Arabic book donations will help to build goodwill and increase the value of the library. The Field Office will give the center almanacs and other reference books supplied by the Embassy in a small ceremony the week before the 4th of July reception. These books will be displayed during the event, to highlight the Cultural Center's growing book collection. A projector to show US Embassy DVD materials also would be a high-value contribution, and could be used to screen public diplomacy materials both for entertainment and educational purposes. Both initiatives are low cost and quick impact, and would help to raise the center's profile while offering more cultural and entertainment options to the public. ¶9. Support for cinema renovations could be another relatively low cost project with potentially high returns. The cinema would generate income which could fund other cultural projects, and would provide badly needed entertainment. Most important, the cinema would provide an alternative activity for youth, who are most susceptible to recruitment by armed movements and criminal gangs. ¶10. In the longer term, it may be worthwhile to consider opportunities to assist the Cultural Center with radio broadcasting and internet availability. Radio is by far the most effective means of communication in Darfur, and most people either own a radio, or can crowd around ONE with neighbors (a common scene). Educational, entertaining and even peace-building programming could reenergize public awareness and create meaningful dialogue about peace and reconciliation initiatives. Access to the internet would allow women, youth, educators, civil society representatives and political activists to interact with a wider range of news sources, and with counterparts around the world. The Darfur conflict has been largely fueled by feelings of marginalization and isolation, which could be mitigated by having better access to the internet. FERNANDEZ