Launching of the Project “Protecting and promoting the Sudanese Cultural Heritage in a social development prospective: Rehabilitating the Sudanese National Museum”.

On November 29th at the premises of the Sudan National Museum – the most comprehensive Nubian archaeological collection in the world giving a good narrative of Sudanese history – the ceremony for the signature of the Technical Agreement of the project “Protecting and Promoting the Sudanese Cultural Heritage in a Social Development Perspective: Rehabilitating the Sudan National Museum” funded by Italy and implemented by UNESCO took place.

The ceremony - in the presence of the State Minster of Cultural Heritage H.E Sumeia Okud, the Ambassador of Italy H.E Fabrizio Lobasso, the UNESCO representative in charge Mr. Aiman Badri and prof. Fantusati, from ISMEO – has been the occasion to present the astonishing objects preserved in the Museum from the Paleolithic through the Islamic period originating from every site of importance in the Sudan and to present the project aimed at rehabilitating and promoting the Museum as a symbol of the Sudanese Cultural Heritage.

The Ambassador recalled that Italian contribution to the protection of the cultural heritage is developed along two main guidelines: support for archaeological missions and an engagement, within a multilateral context, to achieve increasingly close co-operation in the Cultural Heritage sector. The technical agreement we are signing today is the evidence of the Italian commitment for the promotion of the Sudanese Cultural Heritage through a real NET between Italy – Sudan and UNESCO, concluded the Ambassador adding that cultural heritage is a key to unlock our enhanced understanding of life through the history, to promote inter-cultural communication, recognition, tolerance and peace.

The State Minister H.E Sumeia Okud warmly thank Italy, UNESCO and Prof. Fantusati who dedicated his life in excavation in Sudan supporting the reveal of the Nubian culture. The replica of the new stand of King Natakamani from Abu Erteilaq, donated by Italy reflects one of the treasures of Sudan highlighting the Nubian civilization that existed between the 1st century BC and 1st century AD.

Finally, Mr. Aiman Badri, representative in charge of UNESCO, stressed that the project will contribute to the education of youth, to the development of a common national identity enhancing the “social capital” which will positively affect the National Dialogue and the peace building process, to the tourist attraction of Sudan.