Programme for the Hargeysa International Book

Programme for the Hargeysa International Book Fair (HIBF) and Mooge Festival
July 23 – 27, 2010
Introduction and this year’s theme
REDSEA-ONLINE.COM CULTURAL FOUNDATION and its partners KAYD SOMALI ARTS and CULTURE
and ILAYS are delighted to announce the 2010 Hargeysa International Book Fair which also includes
the Second Mooge Festival. This year, we will explore the theme of ‘CITIZENSHIP’ and the week long
programme will take place from the 23rd to the 27th of July 2010 in Hargeysa.
Last year, the theme was ‘CENSORSHIP’, and we examined the different issues relating to this
complex issue. This year we will explore the theme of ‘CITIZENSHIP’. We will introduce and launch
the theme, highlight, debate and explore issues relating to citizenship. All participants are
encouraged to examine their own relationship with the concept of citizenship including the different
literary expressions and poetic forms they prefer. We will be surveying and discussing written
literature that deals with the wider issues concerning citizenship, and we will be encouraging both
artistic and personal approaches.
Citizenship
Citizenship is a multi-faceted concept and describes, among other things, how individuals can
contribute and become a part of a nation through its community, laws, and the promotion of rights
and civic duties. The overall programming of the festival aims to celebrate creativity and to debate
the important vehicle of change that art can be. Well-known artists will share with us their ideas
about citizenship and nationhood and what role art and culture play in nation building.
Sponsored by Oxfam Novib and supported by Somaliland business's and civil society
Friday, 23rd July 2010
9am -10:45am Opening ceremony:
Welcoming; Qur’an recitation; Somaliland anthem and the new song composed by Hassan
Ganey and performed by SOCSA
Introducing This Year’s Theme
This morning we will introduce and launch, highlight and explore issues relating to citizenship. The
individual citizen is an integral part of a nation’s well being, power and prestige. Being a part
of a nation gives the individual a variety of rights and duties. Being a citizen means that one
has the platform to serve one’s personal needs, those of the community, protect their
interests and create opportunities for personal and community development, which will in
turn inspire people to come together to attain social and political cohesion. These are both
the challenges and advantages of citizenship; that it can only be acquired individually and
with personal commitment. The notion of citizenship has also very close links with identity
and how one describes and views oneself and one’s relationships with other people.
After the opening speech by the organiser, Jama Musse Jama, the theme will be introduced by the
celebrated poet Mahamed Ibarahim Warsame Hadraawi and will be followed by a discusssion on
Citizen Prof Saleebaan, Dr Hussein Bulhan and Dr Ahmed Hussein Isse. Expected participants are
Gudoomiyaha Unugga Waddaniyada Somaliland, Cabdiraxmaan Aw-xasan Macallin “Baas”,
Cabdirisaaq Maxamed Muuse (Hirga).
11.00am -12.00am:
expressions.
A tour of the books, paintings and other forms of Somaliland artistic
The book fair opens its doors! Visitors will have a chance to explore books available; new
items for the public library available for loan; Somaliland universities’ libraries; and more.
There will be also an art exhibition and paintings displayed by AfrikaNation arts.
Saturday 24th July
Book Launch and Discussion
9am -10:30 am Nadifa BackiIn Her Hometown
Chair Fadumo Said
Nadifa Mohamed : Black Mamba Boy
This part of the evening will be dedicated towards specifically showcasing and discussing the
work of Nadifa Mohamed, a new Somali female writer from London who has already been
shortlisted for the Orange Prize in Fiction for her debut work ‘Black Mamba Boy’.
Nadifa was born in Hargeysa, Somaliland in 1981 and was educated in the UK, studying
history and politics at St Hilda’s College, Oxford. Black Mamba Boy is her debut Novel based
on the spectacular travels of her father from his days as a young street child in Aden to his
extraordinary journeys across Africa and Europe to when he finally settled in the UK. Black
Mamba Boy has received critical acclaim and Nadifa has been hailed as one of the most
promising Somali authors of her generation. HIBF is delighted to invite Nadifa Mohamed
back to her hometown for the book launch and book signing. A question and answer
session will follow.
10.30-10.50 Break for book signing and informal meeting with the guest author.
Presentations from the Curisyo series:
10:50 am -13:00 - First part
Curisyo is series of books published and distributed by Ponte Invisibile (redsea-online.com) and
presents several titles on the theme of citizenship tackling various aspects of the theme such as the
environment, clan identity and political participation. This part of the day will introduce the Curisyo
series in general and the collection’s new titles.
Jama Musse Jama: Curisyo series presentation (10 minutes presentation)
11.00-11.50 - Latest Curisyo Series - ‘Adduun iyo Taladii’: Rashid Sheikh Abdillahi
‘Gadhwayne’.
Adduun iyo Taladii touches the essence of citizenship and is the third book in the “Curisyo”
series. Adduun iyo Taladdii is a collection of essays which cover a plethora of topics, yet all
share the spirit of citizenship. This book enlightens the reader on various subjects, with vital
impacts on the building blocks of each society, by exploring the themes of freedom,
tolerance, righteousness, equality, and their true normative, ethical, deep moral meaning in
the Somali context. It is a work which is inspired by Rashid Sheikh Abdillahi’s own great
sense of social responsibility.
Saciid Jama Hussein, Abdale Ali Yuusuf, Mustafe Adan Nur, Mahamed Saleebaan (Halabuur)
11.50 – 12.40 - Curisyo 2 -‘Deegaan’: Ahmed Ibrahim Awale.
In collaboration with Candlelight for Health, Education and Environment (CLHE) Mooge Festival
presents Ahmed Ibrahim Awale’s “Deegaan: Environment Crises: Selected Essays with a specific
focus on the Somali Environment”.
Following the book presentation by the author, there will be a round table discussion on the
environment and the effects of climate change. Participants of the round table are Adan Yusuf
Abokor (Progressio Country Representative), Ahmed Gahair (Lecturer, University of Hargeysa),
Ahmed Mohamed Adad (Lecturer, University of Hargeysa) and Shukri Haji Ismail (Candlelight,
Chairperson).
12.45-13.30
School childeren will have a chance to tour among the books under the guide of their teachers and
Book Fair volunteers.
Continuation of presentations from the Curisyo series:
15.30-16.30 - Curisyo 3 -‘Hiil – Waayaha Dadka La Hayb-sooco’: Hassan Abdi Madar.
‘Hiil’ or ‘In Defense Of’ by Hassan Abdi Madar deals with one of the major issues within Somali
society, the marginalisation and social exclusion of the ‘Midgaan’ communities. The author discusses
the complex sets of issues faced by these communities and how they have been subjected to varying
forms of discrimination within different Somali communities and sub-cultures. The writer details the
struggle for civil rights using perspectives from leading ‘Midgaan’ poets and intellectuals on how
they see their own situation, and also how others from the Somali community have contributed to
their ongoing struggle for equal rights and equal citizenship:
Panel chaired by Mohamed Hassan Waji. The book will be presented by Adan Xaji Cali Axmed.
Participants include Maxamed Ibrahin Warsame “Hadraawi”, Said Jama Hussein.
Share your talent!: Young People’s Perspectives on Citizenship
Chair Cartan
16:30pm - 17:30pm
In this part of the event, up and coming artists and poets will display their talent, particularly in
poetic composition with renowned poets. This event intends not only to introduce the new artists
and poets, but to re-introduce Somali poetry to the younger generation for the purposes of cultural
preservation and promoting dialogue on citizenship.
young and upcoming talent : Abdirisaq Mahamed Musse (hirga) Axmed Maxamed Faarax (Badeed),
Yaasiin Awyuusuf Magan, Hooda-ayaan Suldaan, Yasiin, Fardus Dirir, Cabdiraxmaan Aw-xasan
Macallin ( Baas ), Maxamed Axmed Ibraahim. Jama Hasan Osman, Adan Elmi Adan, Mohiyadiin
Hasan Jama, Abdirashid Abdilahu Ainan, Mahamed Jama Miigane, Abdi Gaydh, Aato, mahamed
Ibrahim Ahmed, Abdinuur Awil Hashi /nuur Cawil Xaashi and more
Showcase of Classical Somali poetry. Presentation of Sooyaal Series
18:30pm – 19:30pm Chair Mahamud Ibrahim
Yusuf Shaa’ir: Tolow Colka Jooja: Presenting the Legendary Somali Poet Salaan ‘Carabey’
Yusuf Shaa’ir is a well renowned poet and collector of poetry. In this publication, Tolow
Colka Jooja, Yusuf Shaa’ir presents the interesting life and artistic production of the
legendary Somali poet Salaan ‘Carrabey’. Some of his masterpieces presented in the
collection are Tolow Colka Jooja, Abaal-Laawe (Afku wuxuu la xoog yahay) and Lukaansi.
The “Sooyaal Series” of which “Toloow colka jooja” is the second book aims to collect and
preserve classical Somali literature. Also in this series, last year, ‘Suugaanta Nabadda iyo
Colaadda’ (‘Anthology on War and Peace’) edited by Rashiid Sheekh Cabdillahi
“Gadhwayne”, appears.
Following the book presentation there will be readings from the book by young and
emerging poets, and this work will be discussed by experts Saleebaan Baashe, Muuse Abdi
Elmi, and Mohamed Ali Masmas.
19.30-20.30 Questions and answers.
Poets and lyrics composers give a response to the public on the idea behind Sooyaal Series.
With the editor of the book “Toloow Colka Jooja”, other poets in different generations, such
as Ganey, Hadrawi, Gaarriye, Kayd, Axmed Aw Geeddi, Mahamed Saleebaan will also be
contributing.
20.30-21-30 Play in collaboration with Murtimaal
A short play about young people and citizenship produced by Murtimaal and performed by Unugga
Wadaniyada Somaliland.
Sunday, 25th July
9am – 10:30 am: Iqbal Jhazbhay
Professor of Religious Studies and Arabic at the University of South Africa. His book ‘Somaliland: An
African Struggle for Nationhood and International Recognition’ purports an inspiring story of
resilience and reconstruction and a truly African Renaissance, that has many lessons to teach the
rest of Africa and the international community. It manages to offer both a look at the internal
dynamics of Somaliland’s politics and contribute significantly to our understanding of the Horn of
Africa in the context of wider international forces.
10:30 – 11:30pm Mohamed Barud Ali – ‘The Mourning Tree’
Hargeysa International Book Fair, in collaboration with SONYO presents “The Mourning Tree: an
Autobiography and a Prison Memoir” by Mohamed Barud Ali. The Mourning Tree details the years
the author spent in imprisonment. There will be a round table discussion regarding UFFO,
Dhagaxtuur day and current issues facing Somaliland. The younger generation will also be asked for
their views on Barud’s memoir.
The panel will be shared by Dr Adan Abokor, Ahmed Mohamed Madar, and Sonyo members
11:30am-12:00pm ‘Riyaaq’
A children’s book by Xasan Cabdi Madar and Axmed Aw Geedi. The HAVOYOCO Circus team
will present the book with the authors. Excerpts of the book will be read by members of the
Circus team.
In the afternoon’s event we will focus on new authors and their works. The following books will be
introduced by the authors and there will be a chance to talk to them and purchase their work.
12:00-13:00 Book tour for school children
Teachers are invited to bring their students and tour with them among the books.
15:30-16:30 Book Launch and Discussion:
(10 minutes for main books, others just for 5 minutes)
Chair: Boobe Yuusuf Ducaale
Upcoming books: Xasan Jaamac (HAVOYOCO); Khalid Jamac Qodax; Maxamed Saleebaan; Siciid M
Gahayr;
16:30-17:30 Computer and language and culture preservation
A session dedicated to the use of Computers in language and culture preservation. Jama Musse Jama
will present a paper on recent research on the Somali as technology advanced languages. The
central theme of the research activities presented here is to develop computer tools to help the
Somali language to approach a standardized form as a written language, and to produce localized
content stored as documents or data on computers, and then eventually distributed through the
Internet. This discussion should not be considered as a research presentation on linguistic aspects of
Somali, but instead it addresses the current state of the art of the linguistic tools developed by the
author, which are available for free to both ordinary personal computer users and professionals
working on corpus linguistic research. Among the focal issues of these activities, the paper describes
how to build an accurate corpus for spell checking dictionaries, tools for syntactic and morphological
parsing and utilities converting text to speech for the Somali language and use of localized software
for mobile devices. Other Participants will be announced soon.
18:00-19:00 New literature
The literature day will feature book displays, readings and signing. Young people from local Somali
communities will be invited to read selections from featured books chosen by the authors who will
be available to meet informally with the audience. We will also feature book launches by recently
published Diaspora Somali authors who will also be invited to present and read from their work.
Chair Mustafe A Nuur (member of Somaliland Writers Association)
19:00-19:30
Book tour: students involved.
Muuse Maxamuud Ciise “Hantaaqo Jacayl” (presented by Abdkadir Askar), Cabdiqadir Nuur
Xuseen “Maax” “Ogaysiis jacayl”, and Cabdi Nasir from Somalia, as well as other writers will
present their works.
19:30pm -21:30pm
Women’s Evening collaboration with Negaad
This evening will celebrate women’s acheivements in society, politicsand culture. There will be
apanel discussion with Halimo Haji Nagaad BOD, Shugri Ali Riyale Nagaad BOD, Samsam Abdi Adan,
Fadumo Jama Elye Gurti Member, Nimo Kowden, Fadumo Shaib, and Ismahan Abdisalaan with
questions and answers. There will be live music by female artists who will share the stage with a new
generation of musicians and artists. There will be women’s poetry by Sado, Nimco Gabaydo and
Fowzia Hormood.
Monday 26 July (Working with the universities)
9am -10:30 Politics of Cain: Hussein A Bulhan
HIBF, in collaboration with University of Hargeysa, presents “Politics of Cain” - One Hundred
Years of Crises in Somali Politics” by Prof. Hussein A Bulhan. Prof. Bulhan has studied at
Wesleyan, Boston and Harvard Universities. He is currently President of Hargeysa University
and chief clinician at the Maan-Dhaye Clinic. In this work, he delves into Somali history from
the late 19th century to the end of the 20th century to investigate the historical issues that
have caused the collapse of the Somali state and created the breeding ground for anarchy
and war that people associate Somali regions with today.
10:30-11:00: ‘Garta Dhaqanka iyo Xeerarka Soomaalida’: Abdisalaan Mahamed Harir
"Caaro Dhuub" (in collaboration with Burco University).
This cultural event presents social research and analysis conducted by the author to
document the very essence of Somali culture. Students from the University of Hargeysa,
who also dealt with this issue, will be participating in the presentation. This book is one of
the local literary productions (prepared and printed in Burco, Somaliland), and the author
will discuss with his readers difficulties that authors in Somaliland face while producing their
literary works.
11:00-12:30
Book Launch and Discussion with Various Authors
New Literature Presentation: Various authors
There will also be book presentations from authors who have published books within the
last year who will also be available to sign their books and talk to visitors. We will shortly
announce and ask authors to register for a slot. We guarantee all new books will have a
chance to be presented.
Chair Yuusuf Xasan
Boobe Yuusuf Ducaale (various), Maxamed Baashe X Xasan (various), Cabdillaahi Cawed Cige
(various), Sayid Axmed Yuusuf, Cabdillaahi Aadan Cali “Buugaagta carruurta”, and
Cabdishakur Cali Saleebaan “Sidee ubad loo korshaa”.
3:30pm – 5:30pm: Focus on the Culture and Arts of Djibouti
This afternoon is intended to represent and allow the audience to enjoy the varied and
exciting art and literature from Djibouti. Authors from Djibouti have been invited present
and enlighten the audience on the art and cultural production of their home country. The
main guests will be writer Abdillahi Xaaji, Aadan Hasan Belolow (author), Ismail Abdi (poet)
and Anab Guled (poet), among them will be representatives from Djibouti National TV.
6:30pm – 9:30pm
Celebration of the Sheeko iyo Shaahid Competition
This competition is intended to inspire the youth to get involved in critically thinking about and
composing, storytelling, preserving and participating in Somali culture and arts. The participants are
expected to present original short stories and the winners will receive a literary award. Winners of
the previous editions of Sheeko iyo Shaahid will be invited, and the new volume “Ninkeed
Bila”, containing the winning stories of the 2009 competition will be presented. The 2010
winners will be announced and awards will be handed over by a Nadifa Mahamed Jama.
There will be performances by Faysal Omar Mustashteg, Mahamamed Ahmed Kuluc and
Karoone.
Tuesday 27th July 2010
Readers Club Presentation
9am - 11:45am
An entertaining presentation on the role of the readers’ clubs and their mission. There will
be a total of 8 readers clubs from Somaliland and each club will have a total of 20 minutes to
present what they have been reading and working on for the past year. Their presentations
will also focus on the theme of the year citizenship.
Book display and Traditional Board Games and their role for pedagogy: Shax Day
12:00pm – 13.30pm
While we continue with the book presentations from authors who have published books
within the last year who will also be available to sign their books and talk to visitors, we will
also organize the first Somaliland Shax Game tournament. Shax is the most popular game
among men in Somaliland and is usually played by marking a board on the ground and using
stones or sticks as pieces. The game has a large influence on Somali literature, which often
mentions game-play and strategies. In the historical nomadic lifestyle of the Somali people,
Shax was a method of communication for social life. The first Somaliland Shax tournament
will assign the title of Shax Player of the Year. There will be a lesson on Shax as well.
Facilitators: Hoodo-Ayaan, Mustafe Adan Nur, Khalid Jama Qodax, Abdirahim Adan Buni,
Abdirahman Musse Adan (Isse), and Shaqalle.
Summing up & Conclusions – the Way Forward
3:30pm – 4.30pm
Hargeysa International Book Fair and Mooge festival conclude their five day program of
events. The organizers will draw up the guidelines for the next year.
7.30pm – 9.00pm
Gala appetizer (by invitation). A new play will be showed as for the conclusion of the
program.
Nolol Waan Abuuri Karnaa- (We Can Create A Life) by Abdirahman Yusuf Arten
Theatre is one of the most popular forms of artistic expression in the Somalis inhabited
countries, however due to the lack of arts institutions, few plays in Somali language have
been written. Although there are several Somali playwrights, Abdirahman Yusuf Arten is one
of only two playwrights to have studied theatre and write each play rather than rely on
heavily improvisation and raw talent. ‘We Can Create a Life’ will explore civic responsibility
and the roles and responsibilities of political leadership. In this play Artan addresses the
total neglect of duty by politicians and the abuse of power by political leaders. The story
gets interesting when the community decides to reorganise themselves and elects a female
shop owner as their new councillor. Arten addresses very complex issues with enthusiasm
for solutions and creates a sense of hope, paying particular attention to social and economic
disparity.