Khartoum: A major British foundation has expressed its willingness to undertake the restoration of the Old Palace-widely known as Gordon Pasha's Palace-along with its museum, historic vehicles, and antiquities, which were destroyed by the rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia.
According to Sudan News Agency, the development follows a visit organized by the Ministry several weeks ago for British journalist Craig Simpson, arts correspondent of The Telegraph, to Khartoum. During his visit, Simpson inspected archaeological and heritage sites that had suffered destruction and later published a detailed report in the British newspaper recounting his journey to Sudan.
The report prompted Philip Davies, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Heritage Forum, based in London, to contact British national Michael Mallinson, Chairman of the Sudan Heritage Protection Society, which maintains a partnership with the Ministry. Davies conveyed the Forum's interest in establishing a partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Information, Antiquities and Tourism to restore the Old Palace-site of the killing of General Gordon-its museum located opposite Palace Street, as well as the historic vehicles and artifacts housed within it, and to return the museum to its former state.
Davies also expressed the Forum's readiness to provide training for Sudanese engineers and technicians affiliated with the Ministry and specializing in antiquities, to enable them to continue supervision and maintenance work in the future. The initiative comes in response to the appeal made by Minister Khalid Al-Eisir, which was highlighted in Craig Simpson's investigative feature published in The Telegraph.
It is worth noting that funding for the restoration works will be provided under the Commonwealth Heritage Skills Training Programme, marking the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.