Earlier this month, Mallinson Architects officially signed over the completed Kassala Peace Garden and Community Museum – a beloved gathering space for local and displaced communities - to the Kassala Ministry of Tourism.
The Kassala Peace Garden has become the go-to destination in the area since opening in July. Born from engagement workshops held in Eastern Sudan, the site emerged as a concept in response to the loss of the Ethnographic Museum - the original focus of the project - due to the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
With support from the British Council’s Cultural Protection Fund, visitors can explore Sudan’s traditional architecture in between picnic spots and cafes. They can also discover exhibitions where each building in the Kassala Peace Garden and Community Museum has been made by a different community, representing their unique culture. These range from Red Sea and desert stone buildings to woven and barish tents to lost Nubian houses and mud, wood and thatch huts.
Additionally, the onsite museum team collaborates with local artists to produce exhibitions which highlight Sudan’s invaluable intangible cultural heritage. The displays include costumes, musical instruments, crafts, farm tools, wedding items (Jirtig) and an outdoor oil press and water wheel. The space is further animated by a cohort of 40 young volunteer visitor guides.
Now nearly a hundred events have been hosted under the Peace Tent. These include Children’s Days, weekly Climate Cafés, a Flower Festival to encourage business and tourism, the 57th Beja Congress, graduation ceremonies, and events celebrating women.
Today, 18 different community groups are represented in an extraordinary setting where visitors can explore under the trees of an old palace garden. The result is a safe space for the community to meet their friends and family and celebrate their heritage.
Remarking on the event, Helen Mallinson said, ‘It was a complete joy to see the Kassala Peace Garden and Community Museum and the love and pride built into every corner. It helps you understand the wonderful diversity of Sudanese culture, its ancient roots and it’s living heritage in action. Everyone is welcomed.’
