Nyala, 26 June 2010 – The Afia Sudan Voluntary Organization, in collaboration with the People’s Corporation for Darfur Development and UNAMID, organized yesterday a music festival entitled “We Read for the Recovery of Darfur.”

The event, held at the Elbiheir Theatre in Nyala, South Darfur, represents a starting point in a series of activities aimed at collecting one million books for distribution throughout Darfur's universities and public libraries in the capitals of the region's three States. The objective is to raise community awareness on the import role culture and the arts play in the peace process in Darfur.

The concert, headlined by Igdeljalaad, a popular Khartoum-based musical group known for its support of social causes, was attended by State government officials, the local community, representatives of civil society organizations and UNAMID staff. A similar event is soon anticipated for El Fasher, North Darfur.

Communication and Public Information Division Media Contacts

Kemal Saïki, Director; saiki@un.org, tel.: +249 (0)92 244 3529 / mobile: +249 (0)92 241 0020

Chris Cycmanick, OiC Media Relations; cycmanick@un.org, mobile: +249 (0)91 253 8436