War Devours Sudan’s Memory: The Home of the Renowned Professor Abdullah Al-Tayeb Turns to Ruins, and His Rare Library Disappears

By: El-Tayeb Siddiq –

“Something truly sad… Few days ago, I decided to go and see the home of the renowned Professor Abdullah El-Tayeb and his wife, the great artist Gerzelda, may God have mercy on them, in the historic Burri neighborhood. I thought I’d check if there were any books, paintings, or belongings that could be preserved somewhere in Khartoum or Ad-Damar. But unfortunately, I found the house destroyed… and no trace of Abdullah El-Tayeb and Gerzelda’s library.

This house, for those who know it, is a masterpiece… a government-owned house belonging to the University of Khartoum, but it rivals museums and cultural centers in its collection of books, belongings, and paintings, the result of Abdullah and Gerzelda’s travels around the world, as they sought and spread knowledge and art in North Africa, Africa, and the West.” And the Arab world… every chair, table, curtain made of ganja or damouria fabric, teapot, Moroccan tea tray, and lantern all have great cultural and historical value. We used to visit this house when we were young and we felt that we were in a beautiful and pleasant place, but I was very sad about the loss of a great value and heritage that would have benefited generations greatly if it weren’t for the curse of war.