New cultural festival celebrating culture of North African country coming to the East Bay
(KRON) – The inaugural Sudan Culture Fest has been announced for Saturday in Hayward, according to the Sudanese Association For Northern California (SANC).
Sudan is a country in Northeast Africa with more than 500 ethnicities and languages. Based on World Population Review, which cites United Nations and US Census data, more than 4,000 Sudanese people call California home. The city of Hayward is the home to the SANC.
According to the organization, Sudan Cultural Fest participants will be able to “experience Sudan.” The organization said there will be live music, including a performance from Sundanese artist Salma El Assal. The festival will also include poetry and dance performances.
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The fest will have educational tents representing Sudan’s diverse regions through handicrafts, art, clothing, instruments and history exhibits. SANC also states guests can engage in activities and traditional games.
Festival-goers have the opportunity to watch live cooking demonstrations and eat rich cultural traditional savory and sweet foods and drinks. Z Zoul Cafe, which calls itself the only Sudanese cuisine in the Bay Area, will be at the festival.
On April 15, 2023, a war began in Sudan between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. More than 14,000 people have been killed and 8 million people have been displaced, according to NPR.
The president of the SANC, Harith Elrufaie, spoke with KRON4 about the importance of the festival, “Our goal is about sharing what’s there in Sudan, sharing what’s beyond the war. Sharing the beauty and all the great history.”
The festival will be from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 25 on Main Street between B and C streets.
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