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Central Khartoum hosted its first flower festival since the outbreak of war, with the Shatla Exhibition held at Marina Park, an area that saw military operations over the past two years.
Organizers and visitors said the event reflected the gradual return of community activities as basic services and public spaces began to recover.
The festival, titled the “Shatla Exhibition,” was held at Marina Park in central Khartoum, an area that had served as a battleground for military operations over the past two years.
The same site long associated with destruction was transformed into a space of greenery, community gathering and renewed life.
Visitors flocked to the exhibition, filling the park with movement and energy.
Rare flowers stood at the heart of the venue, reshaping the scene and offering the area new meaning after the harsh chapter of war.
For many residents, the festival represented more than an event. It marked a symbolic return to public life and a reminder that recovery is possible, even in places deeply scarred by violence.
The Shatla Exhibition saw the participation of about 150 companies from across Sudan, showcasing a wide variety of flowers, ornamental plants and rare species.
The display reflected the diversity of local agricultural production and its ability to recover despite ongoing challenges.
In addition to plant exhibitions, the festival featured informational booths and awareness activities highlighting the importance of tree planting and green spaces in improving the urban environment, as well as their role in supporting environmental and social stability.
Organizers viewed the event as a clear sign that life in the capital is gradually returning to normal.
Mohammed al-Saudi, owner of Marina Park, said the goal was to provide a recreational space for families and visitors while also supporting community and economic events.
"Many plant nurseries were destroyed during the war, prompting them to host the exhibition to bring nursery owners and plant enthusiasts together in one place," Saudi told Al Jazeera.
The exhibition drew notable public interest, reflecting a broader return of community activities and public events after years of interruption.
For visitors, the festival offered a powerful emotional contrast to the devastation surrounding the city.
Ibrahim al-Toum, one of the attendees, said the greenery and flowers “largely erased the traces of destruction surrounding the area.”
He said that after returning to Khartoum from displacement with his family, he did not expect to see streets and parks regain their vitality, nor to witness such a large number of visitors gathering once again in public spaces.
Khartoum State has also witnessed several community initiatives aimed at engaging citizens, including the “Green Khartoum” campaign, which seeks to plant 1,000 trees along public roads and main streets.
According to those leading the initiative, dozens of fruit-bearing trees and ornamental plants have already been planted, helping to raise environmental awareness among residents.
The head of the initiative, Mujtaba Rizq, told Al Jazeera that efforts will continue across the rest of Khartoum State as part of a long-term plan to restore parks and public spaces lost due to widespread tree cutting during the war.
Another initiative, “Our Home is Green,” focuses on encouraging families to grow plants and flowers within their neighborhoods and homes, promoting sustainable water use and strengthening local food security through fruit-bearing cultivation.
Meanwhile, grassroots cleaning campaigns have also helped reopen streets and remove harmful weeds that spread across roads and public squares during years of disruption.
Alongside community-led efforts, Sudanese authorities have begun restoring basic services such as electricity, rehabilitating water and sewage stations, and maintaining public facilities and markets.
These steps have supported the gradual return of economic, cultural and social life across the capital.
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