Al-Qadarif Reads: ``Return to the Book`` Exhibition Brings Life Back to the City

By: Al-Asmai Bashri
The "Return to the Book" Exhibition, organized by the Shurooq Cultural Forum in the city of Al-Qadarif, was not merely a book-selling event. Instead, it felt like a collective proclamation of the citys soul reviving through culture, art, and dialogue. From May 15 to May 22, Al-Qadarif transformed into a vibrant space of reading, music, theater, and intellectual discussions—an extraordinary scene that gathered hundreds of visitors of all ages around more than two thousand book titles, cultural and artistic programs, and a dedicated childrens activity area that accompanied the exhibition throughout its duration.

The exhibition, held by the Shurooq Forum in cooperation with Al-Musawarat Printing, Publishing and Distribution House, attracted a wide audience from both within and outside Al-Qadarif State. It garnered remarkable interest from youth, families, and cultural enthusiasts at a time when the country is going through difficult circumstances, making such events a rare space for connection and hope.

A Bustling Haven for Book Lovers
From the opening hours of the exhibition, the movement between the book aisles was bustling. Titles in literature, fiction, thought, history, politics, human development, and childrens books were spread across tables crowded with readers and those searching for new releases or long-awaited books. The attendance was not limited to intellectuals or academics; families turned out in large numbers, and children accompanied their parents on tours through the books and artistic activities.

"The event has brought back to Al-Qadarif something it has long missed," said Omar Abdeen, one of the visitors. He added that the city has been in dire need of cultural projects that bring people back to the public sphere, away from the atmosphere of tension and preoccupation with daily crises.

Meanwhile, a university student noted that the exhibition provided young people with a rare opportunity for direct interaction with books, authors, and cultural figures, especially in light of the significant decline in cultural activities across the country in recent years.

Beyond Books: A Rich Cultural Program
The event was not limited to displaying books; the organizers ensured a diverse accompanying program that spanned the entire duration of the exhibition. This included:
Literary and social seminars
Musical evenings
Theatrical performances
Poetry recitals

Open discussion sessions addressing issues of culture, society, and the role of art in promoting social cohesion.

The seminars witnessed the attendance of several writers and public figures. Some sessions discussed the current state of reading in Sudan and the challenges facing the publishing industry, while others delved into social and cultural issues related to youth, anti-drug campaigns, education, and identity. The level of engagement from the audience was striking, particularly from the youth, whose questions and contributions reflected a clear thirst for dialogue and debate.

Music, Theater, and Community Resilience
Theater and music formed a core attraction within the exhibition. The evenings turned into open cultural celebrations where songs intertwined with theatrical performances and literary readings in a lively and diverse atmosphere. Local artists and musicians participated in delivering performances that received immense audience interaction, while the theatrical plays provided a space to express social and humanitarian issues deeply connected to peoples reality.

Observers believe that the success of the "Return to the Book" Exhibition is not just tied to the number of visitors or the volume of sales, but rather to its ability to re-establish culture as a fundamental societal need rather than a luxury. Given the current circumstances in the country, cultural events have become a psychological and social outlet, and an opportunity to mend relationships between people through art and knowledge.

The exhibition revealed the existence of a genuine audience for books in Al-Qadarif State, despite all economic and living challenges. The high turnout for buying books and participating in the accompanying activities sent a clear message: reading is still capable of attracting people whenever serious initiatives and open spaces are provided.

A Vision for Safe Spaces
For their part, the exhibition organizers expressed their delight at the level of engagement the event received, emphasizing that the primary goal was to create a safe, open space for knowledge, dialogue, and the arts. They noted that the cooperation with Al-Musawarat Printing, Publishing and Distribution House contributed significantly to providing a vast diversity of displayed titles, meeting the interests of various segments of readers and those invested in the citys cultural and artistic movement.