Khaberni - The esteemed Sudanese artist Balqis Awad has departed from our world after a long health struggle, where she spent her last days in Dongola in the Northern state following her migration from Khartoum.
Balqis Awad was born in 1946 in Khartoum and was one of the pioneering women in Sudan; she became the first woman to work as a customs officer in Sudan in 1965, and she was also the first actress to perform in Classical Arabic on Sudanese radio in 1961, making her a significant figure in the history of Sudanese art and media.
The late artist received her primary education at the Egyptian Mission schools at the Coptic College for Girls, then joined Al Neelain University. Balqis Awad had presented a series of dramatic works that have left an enduring imprint on Sudanese drama, including notable works like "Suburban Moons," "The Last Train," "The Director's Daughter," "Northern Train," and "The Gold Boat".
The founding generation of the artistic movement in Sudan, as fundamental pillars, contributed to the development of drama, theatre, and radio in the country, despite the limited resources and successive political and economic conditions.
These artists played a vital role in documenting the social and cultural transformations through artistic works that reflected the reality and diversity of the Sudanese society and played an important role in reinforcing national identity and promoting cultural awareness.
Balqis Awad's career fits within this historical context as one of the feminist icons who broke barriers and paved the way for subsequent generations of Sudanese female artists.
