Khartoum’s Abandoned Buildings Return to Life through Photographs

“Sudanese Pictorial Photography” is one of many projects aimed at reviving buildings that reflect the old face of Sudan. (Asharq Al--Awsat)
“Sudanese Pictorial Photography” is one of many projects aimed at reviving buildings that reflect the old face of Sudan. (Asharq Al--Awsat)
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Khartoum’s Abandoned Buildings Return to Life through Photographs

“Sudanese Pictorial Photography” is one of many projects aimed at reviving buildings that reflect the old face of Sudan. (Asharq Al--Awsat)
“Sudanese Pictorial Photography” is one of many projects aimed at reviving buildings that reflect the old face of Sudan. (Asharq Al--Awsat)

“Sudanese Pictorial Photography” is one of many projects aimed at reviving buildings that reflect the old face of Sudan and documenting old, historic and abandoned buildings, and reintroducing them to the new generation.

“The initiative is fueled by our love for Sudan. The name was selected to reflect the targeted aim of the initiative, which is highlighting the country’s hidden gems and unknown beauties,” said Engineer Rim Hussein, the brain behind the idea.

Hussein believes that “these buildings have been subject to a silent abandonment, and are almost fading because of the popular and official neglect. So, we had to act and shed light on the history and heritage that a cracked wall in a building or an old banner could hide to keep them remain alive in people’s memory.”

About the work plan, Hussein said she photographs old buildings according to a certain vision that aims at connecting people to these buildings.

“The anecdotes my mother and father used to tell us about their youth, college days, where they worked, and the connection of places with Sudan’s social and political reality, drove a constant attention to details in me, and gave me an active, spatial memory,” she added.

“With time, I noticed the changing feature of our beloved country. Secret keepers, unfortunately, die or leave, so I had the idea of posing in photographs with these old building as background,” Hussein said in describing the beginning of her idea.

“My main motivation was feeling that these buildings or houses aren’t just deaf stones, but living objects that carry the philosophy of life and its aspects in past times and communities.”

She said her entire process started with documenting the post building in Khartoum. “I searched for a long time, and took information from my mom who was an employee at the post authority. The building is made from sandstone and inspired by the past century’s Victorian architecture.”

“Later, we documented some buildings in the Republic Street, in the center of Khartoum, including the Sahara Hotel, the Acropol, and Sudan Club,” she revealed, adding that the search for the last building took over two years to collect information, accessories and garments, assemble the photography team, and acquire permits.

The photography documentation wasn’t limited to old buildings and hotels, but also included some stores that were famous in the 1970s.

About her vision for the future, Hussein said: “I hope this experience would prompt a drive to turn these places and buildings into touristic landmarks given their spatial significance and historic dimensions.”



Australian Prime Minister Defends Himself from an Accusation That He Asked for Free Flight Upgrades

 Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks as QANTAS unveil their Yes23 livery being carried on some of their aircraft at Sydney Domestic Airport in Sydney, on Aug. 14, 2023. (Dean Lewins/AAP Image via AP)
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks as QANTAS unveil their Yes23 livery being carried on some of their aircraft at Sydney Domestic Airport in Sydney, on Aug. 14, 2023. (Dean Lewins/AAP Image via AP)
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Australian Prime Minister Defends Himself from an Accusation That He Asked for Free Flight Upgrades

 Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks as QANTAS unveil their Yes23 livery being carried on some of their aircraft at Sydney Domestic Airport in Sydney, on Aug. 14, 2023. (Dean Lewins/AAP Image via AP)
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks as QANTAS unveil their Yes23 livery being carried on some of their aircraft at Sydney Domestic Airport in Sydney, on Aug. 14, 2023. (Dean Lewins/AAP Image via AP)

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday said he had always “acted in a transparent and appropriate way” after a new book claimed that he had repeatedly requested free upgrades for personal flights on Qantas Airways.

Albanese, who was transport minister in a previous government, was accused in a book released Monday of developing an inappropriately close relationship with Alan Joyce, who was Qantas chief executive for 15 years until 2023.

Qantas is Australia's largest airline and was state-owned until the 1990s. The Sydney-based airline is the country's flag carrier and must by law remain at least 51% Australian owned.

“According to Qantas insiders, Albanese would liaise with Joyce directly about his personal travel,” a published extract of the book said. The insiders were not named.

Albanese said he had declared 22 free Qantas upgrades in a register of gifts to lawmakers valued at more than 300 Australian dollars ($197). He noted opposition lawmaker Paul Fletcher had declared 69.

“I’ve declared everything in accordance with all of the rules,” Albanese told reporters.

“I have, at all times — at all times — acted in a transparent and appropriate way,” he added.

Albanese said on Tuesday he only recalled two conversations with Joyce about flights. Those flights did not involve personal travel.

“There’s no accusation being made with any specifics at all about any of this. None. None,” Albanese said.

Albanese noted the book's author, Joe Aston, was a former opposition party staffer and former Qantas employee. The book is titled “The Chairman’s Lounge: The Inside Story of How Qantas Sold Us Out.”

Joyce could not be immediately contacted for comment. Qantas did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Australian newspaper reported Albanese might have been in breach of the then-government’s code of ministerial conduct when he was transport minister from 2007 until 2013.

The code explicitly banned ministers from seeking or encouraging any form of gift in their personal capacity.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton on Monday described the accusation that Albanese contacted Joyce to solicit free upgrades as “a bit strange.”

“I’m not aware of anyone else having done it,” Dutton told reporters.