Portsmouth Museum hosts 'extremely exciting' Sudan exhibition
The Sudanese community in Portsmouth has helped curate an exhibition about the country's history and culture.Ancient Sudan: Enduring Heritage opened at Portsmouth Museum & Art Gallery on Saturday and will run until Sunday 11 May.Maza Mattar, who is Sudanese but was born and raised in Portsmouth, helped curate the exhibition and said it was "extremely exciting"."As a community we all came together," she said. "It's a big thing... I was overwhelmed."
The exhibition features artefacts from the ancient Kushite Kingdom, on loan from the British Museum, as well as those from more modern Sudan.
Ms Mattar said she was "shocked" when she was asked to help."Imagine someone like me, minding my own business, going to uni, going to work, going home, and you're getting told 'oh, the museum wants to do an exhibition in Portsmouth and they want to do a room for the Sudanese community," she said.She said that, growing up, a lot of people had not even heard of Sudan when they asked where she was from, and now the focus was very much on the war."It's not about the culture, its not about our people," she said.She said she hoped the exhibition would change that."Everyone was just happy... it was extremely exciting," she added.
Loretta Kilroe, British Museum curator for Sudan and Nubia, said she was "thrilled" more people would get to see the artefacts, and she wanted to reach people who did not know much about ancient Sudan."Sudan, particularly the kingdom of Kush, was one of the greatest empires of the ancient world but people never think about that," she said.She said the war going on in Sudan made the exhibition even more pertinent."Today, Sudan faces a significant threat, particularly to its cultural heritage but also to huge numbers of its people," she said."We hope that this will shine a spotlight on Sudanese heritage and particularly our Sudanese colleagues, who are still working to protect the region."
You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Tourist shatters ‘Van Gogh' chair while posing for photos
A tourist sat on a ' Van Gogh ' chair at an art gallery before the piece collapsed underneath him. CCTV footage showed a man and a woman inside the Palazzo Maffei art museum in Verona. They pose for pictures by the Swarovski crystal-covered piece by Nicola Bolla, with the woman pretending to sit on the chair. The man then sits on it before the artwork collapses, and the pair leave the room. 'An irresponsible gesture caused serious damage to Nicola Bolla's 'Van Gogh' chair, a very delicate work,' the museum said, later adding that the chair was able to be repaired.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Tyson Fury's next fight options including Anthony Joshua grudge match
The former two-time heavyweight champion has hinted at a return to the ring despite calling it quits after back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk Tyson Fury has plenty of options on the table should the former two-time heavyweight champion make a retirement U-turn. Back in January, the 36-year-old shocked the world after officially calling it a day. "Hi everybody, I'm going to make this short and sweet," he said in a video uploaded to social media. "I'd like to announce my retirement from boxing. It's been a blast, I've loved every single minute of it. I'm going to end with this. Dick Turpin wore a mask. God bless everybody, see you on the other side. Get up!" His announcement came just weeks after losing to long-time rival Oleksandr Usyk for a second time. Over the last few weeks, though, the 'Gypsy King' has hinted at a return to the ring. Recently, the Brit he uploaded a short video in the gym alongside trainer SugarHill Steward. Fury, 36, who was sweating slightly after potentially wrapping up a workout said: "Just in the gym, happened to bump into somebody you might know." He then shifted the camera towards the direction of an energetic and happy SugarHill - who replied: "You know what time it is!" The 'Gypsy King' had the last say before ending the story: "You know what's coming," he said - seemingly teasing a return to the ring. Despite back-to-back defeats to the Ukrainian, the Brit has several fight options on the table should he make a stunning comeback - including a stunning trilogy fight with Usyk. Back in April, Fury revealed he was ready for a third fight with the 'Cat.' The Ukrainian has said that he will have one more fight after taking on Daniel Dubois next month, with plenty of fight fans hoping to see him in the ring with Fury one more time. Speaking to The Stomping Ground, Usyk was asked about fighting Fury again and said: "Maybe it's Tyson Fury. Maybe it's Anthony Joshua." He then added on Fury: "He's not retired. I think Tyson will continue training, continue boxing, because he's a great man. Yes, Tyson Fury... a lot of speak - blah blah blah blah - but it's good. Great man, wow." Responding to an Instagram post of the interview, Fury wrote: "Beat the f***er 2 times the world knows the truth. Any time, any place. sucher (sic) UK next time 100k people." Another fight that could be on the cards is an all-British showdown with Anthony Joshua. Following Fury's defeat to the Usyk in December, many had hoped to see the 'Gypsy King' and Joshua go head-to-head this year. Joshua has not fought since suffering a knockout defeat to Dubois last September. The 35-year-old is aiming to return to competitive boxing before the end of the year, following elbow surgery. Eddie Hearn - Joshua's promoter - recently confirmed that 'AJ' is in discussions with Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh over a new multiple fight deal. Joshua has not given up hope of finally realising a bout with Fury. The Brit is not convinced that his rival's retirement is final and appears confident that a fight could still materialise. The British pair agreed a two-bout deal in 2020 but saw plans scuppered when it was ruled Fury had to permit Deontay Wilder a trilogy fight. In a recent post uploaded to Snapchat, Joshua shared an image of himself watching Fury fight, saying: "One of these days I'll be standing in the opposite corner. Ready and fully charged spiritually." Hearn himself is still holding out hope that Fury will make a retirement U-turn and fight his star client. The Boxing promoter told DAZN: "It's probably three fights away. For me, if I'm advising AJ, we're back this year, we have two Tyson Fury fights, what else is there to do? Maybe fight a Daniel Dubois, but for me once AJ fights Tyson Fury, he's kind of done it all. I'd love him to have another crack at Daniel Dubois and I'd love him to have another crack at Usyk but you just keep going on and on and on. Now, if we get to next year and he's still firing on all cylinders then 2026 won't be his last year. But for me, something feels right about coming back this year, beating Tyson Fury twice and then sailing off into the sunset."
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
David Beckham shares rare insight into relationship with mum after knighthood
Sir David Beckham's mum remains very private on social media, with most of her accounts private - but since his knighthood a very sweet post she dedicated to him has emerged Sir David Beckham shared a rare insight into his relationshp with his mum as he reposted a sweet message from her following his knighthood news. Sir David Beckham has reached many amazing achievements throughout his longstanding career in sport and showbiz – all of which are now likely to be topped by last night's announcement that he is to be knighted. The 50 year old star, who is being recognised in the Kings Birthday Honours List for his services to Sport and Charity, has finally secured his long awaited knighthood. Speaking out about the incredible recognition, Sir David said he was "humbled" in a statement shared with the Mirror. He said: "I'm so lucky to be able to do the work that I do and I'm grateful to be recognised for work that gives me so much fulfilment. It will take a little while for the news to sink in but I'm immensely proud and it's such an emotional moment for me to share with my family." David's wife Victoria Beckham penned a gushing tribute to her husband, sharing her pride at his new knighthood status. The message, shared to David, 50, via Instagram, also made reference to the star's dedication to his family – which could be a dig at the couple's reported feud with their eldest son Brooklyn. Lady Beckham, 51, posted a sweet snap of her kissing a smiling David on the cheek as she wrote in the caption: "You've always been my knight in shining armour, but now it's official. Sir @davidbeckham!!! What an honour, I couldn't be prouder of you. Your dedication to the things that matter most — your country, your work, your passion, and most of all, your family — has never wavered. The way you've touched so many lives over the years with kindness and humility speaks volumes about the man you are and continues to inspire us everyday. But above all else, I'm so, so proud to call you mine.I love you so much xxxx". One of the latest congratulations messages Sir David shared on Instagram was from his mum Sandra. Sandra wrote: "Such a special 50th year you've had! I'm busting with so much pride and happiness that you have been knighted. From the boy who dressed up as Pince Charles now stands before him. I couldn't be more proud of the person you are and all the hard work you do. I know two people who would be looking down on you with so much pride. Love you lots." The sweet message shows is a rare insight into what Sandra posts onlin due to her account being priivate, but it shows the pair are very close and shows that Sandra clearly has a lot of love for her son. With the prestigious title comes a string of VIP privileges only afforded to those who receive a knighthood. Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams tells us: "The Chapel of Knights Bachelor is in St Paul's Cathedral and he would be entitled to request the use of the Chapel for weddings, baptisms and memorial services. As a knight he is also entitled to apply for a coat of arms – perhaps golden balls will feature!" Meanwhile, like every person who has received a knighthood, Sir David will be treated to an official ceremony. The ceremony, which often happens at Buckingham Palace, will see David kneel in front of a monarch – which can be either the King or another member of the Royal Family such as Princess Anne or Prince William – who will then touch the recipient's shoulder with a sword.
