SWF 2022

Kayd Somali Arts & Culture and Partners Proudly Present: The 14th Annual Somali Week Festival

Traditional & Modern Art Forms

Theme:

Traditional & Modern Art forms”

The annual Somali Week Festival has long been an integral part of the United Kingdom’s Black History Month. This years event, which will be held across London, Bristol and Leicester, will explore the interaction between traditional Somali art forms, in particular celebrating and highlighting the innovative artistic production generated by this two-way influence. In doing so, the event aims to shine a light on the common creative values shared across the Somali speaking Horn of Africa and diaspora through diverse, inspiring works of art.

The festival showcases cultural movers and shakers both within and beyond our various UK communities, through sessions including book launches, poetry readings, plays, film screenings, art exhibitions, academic presentations, music, activist talks, a children’s day and much more! For the first time, the event will feature a film screening alongside the launch of the award-winning film The Grave Digger’s Wife in London and other UK cities.

2022 saw the loss of several monumental figures within Somali arts and culture, including those who inspired and shaped Somali Week Festival from the beginning. We will use the opportunity to honour and mourn these figures, including Said Jama Hussein, a trustee of Kayd, and Hadraawi, the eternal symbol of Somali poetry’s greatness. It is the work of artists like these, whose talent both utilises and transcends the traditional and modern forms, that has kept us in the diaspora grounded, hopeful and united in our drive to give their work the platform and global attention they deserve. At this years festival, we explore the wealth of work they left behind for us, to preserve and build upon their legacy.

Launch of Kayd’s 14th Annual Somali Week Festival

The launch event for the 14th Anniversary of Somali Week Festival 2022 will be held at the British Library, an ideal venue for an open conversation on the relationship between modern and traditional literary and art forms. The opening event will feature a diverse collection of Somali creatives to discuss how they inspire each other. After the festival is opened by the honourable Suldaan Said Ahmed, a Member of Finnish Parliament and the country’s Special Representative on Peace Mediation in the Horn of Africa, Professor Siciid Salah will contribute reflections on the theme of the intersection of tradition and modernity.

This will be followed by a panel discussion, chaired by educator and presenter Baar Hersi, bringing together the director of the awardwinning Somali film, The Gravedigger’s Wife, Khadar Ayderus Ahmed, British music producer, former Columbia A/R and current Universal Music Group A/R Manager Muna Ruumi, Fadumo Ali, founder and CEO of Finnish healthcare company Hoiwa Oy and author and translator Abdiaziz Guudcadde, for an in-depth discussion. The evening will conclude with live music from Ikran Jama and traditional Somali dance group Qoraan.

Galool Somali Children’s Entertainment

Families and children will particularly enjoy an afternoon with long-time Kayd partner Galool, a much-loved educational resource promoting the writing and reading of the Somali Language among Somali children in the UK. This year, Galool will be represented by Ilwad Sabban, a Somali storyteller and entertainer, and her mother Zainab Dahir, who together developed the organisation’s unique cultural and linguistic resources, which can be found at www.galool.com. Abdullahi Shafey, a Danish author and educator with expertise in parenting and child-rearing, will join this segment with advice based on his books.

A Conversation with Nour-Alhuda Ali Banfas and Cumar Serbia’s Book Launch

Nour-Alhuda Ali Banfas, one of Somaliland’s most successful female photographers, as well as the founder of the Banfas School of Art, will open the evening by discussing her artistic process as well as her forthcoming book, Gurmad: People and Places to Remember. Her photography can be found in Kayd, a book which is updated yearly with new people, historical sites and archaeological findings that Huda documents as she travels across Somaliland. Huda has bachelor’s degrees in Criminal Justice & Policing and Global Studies & International Relations, as well as a master’s degree in International Relations & Diplomacy.

The second half of the evening will involve a sit-down with Cumar Serbia, who will launch his newly published book Fan iyo Fannaan (‘Art and Artist’) on the history of Somali music. Cumar is the department director of Somali Music and Art for Astaan TV, a cable television network widely viewed across the whole Somali region. His new book is the culmination of ten years’ research into Somali music research, and is based on interviews conducted with numerous veteran musicians with Somalis living all over the world. The event will be followed by live music.

Annual Book Showcase

This lively and popular annual book event features writers from across the continent to showcase their work, converse with each other, and present and discuss their new publications with the audience. All Somali writers who have published books are welcome to set up a stall and sell their books, giving the Somali audience unmatched access to the latest publications.

Annual Book Showcase

Maana-Faay (English version) by Mohamed Dahir Afrax

The first English translation of the famous Somali novel Maana-Faay by the late renowned novelist.

Labo Isma Saarin by Husein Khalif

A new tell-all, first-hand account of the history of the Somali Salvation Democratic Front (SSDF), the historic armed opposition movement against the regime of Mohamed Siyad Barre of Somalia.

Xasuusta Habeenkii Madoobaa by Mohiyadin Eid

One man’s harrowing accounts of the historical events he personally witnessed during the ‘dark nights’ of the Somalia civil war.

Annual Book Showcase

Han iyo Hagardaamo by Maxamuud Ibrahim (Haji)

A novel based on the injustices and discrimination the Somali Gabooye community faces within the Somali clan system.

Lafagurka Maahmaahda iyo Murtida Soomaaliyeed by Abdulkadir Sheik Mohamed

An analysis of Somali oral proverbs and the wisdom they carry.

Firsooca Sarbeebta Soomaaliga by Mohamed Hiraabey

An analysis and classification of the wisdom and use of Somali idioms and metaphors.

Maangal: Hordhac iyo Qeexo Aasaasi Ah by Jama Musse Jama

An introduction to logic as a subject in mathematics with some fundamental definitions. It is the first attempt to localise

Leading the way: Screening of award-winning The Grave Digger’s Wife, followed by panel discussion and Q&A with the director and others

In partnership with film distributor Aya Films, Kayd presents the UK release of the award-winning film The Gravedigger’s Wife as part of Somali Week, with five days of public screenings at London’s Courthouse Hotel, sponsored through the generosity of Almas Foundation. The Gravedigger’s Wife, directed by accomplished Finnish filmmaker Khadar Ayderus Ahmed, is a poetic romance that centres on a family facing impossible loss, and the lengths one man will go to for the person he loves. The film made history as Somalia’s first ever Oscars entry in 2021 and has won numerous awards including the coveted Golden Stallion of Yennenga for Best Film at FESPACO, and an incredible five awards at the 2021 Africa Movie Academy Awards.

Leading the way: Screening of award-winning The Grave Digger’s Wife, followed by panel discussion and Q&A with the director and others

The movie is presented in Somali with English subtitles.

Audiences will also be able to catch screenings of the film across the country from 21 October, including special Q&A events with director Khadar Ayderus Ahmed and lead actor Omar Abdi at: Ritzy London (21 October), Lexi Cinema London (22 October), Finsbury Park Picturehouse London (22 October), Watershed Bristol (23 October), Courthouse Hotel London (24 October), Showroom Sheffield (25 October), Hackney Picturehouse London (26 October), FACT Liverpool (28 October), MAC Birmingham (29 October), Glasgow Film Theatre (30 October), and Cameo Picturehouse Edinburgh (31 October).

For more information about the film visit:This release is made possible with the support of the BFI, awarding funds from the National Lottery.

MONDAY

Anglo-Somali Society AGM and Book Launch

The evening will begin with the Annual General Meeting of Kayd’s longtime partner, the Anglo-Somali Society, including a panel discussion among some of its members. This will be followed by the UK launch of Dharaaro Xusuustood, the much anticipated book co-written by Mohamed Said Gees and his son Said Gees documenting their lives, events, and experiences. This biographical account of Mohamed Gees, Somaliland’s former Foreign Minister, the former Director of the Academy of Peace and Development (APD) and a pivotal figure in Somali peacebuilding, offers great insight into pivotal moments in Somali history from one of its most influential figures.

MONDAY

The Legacy of Mohamed Ibrahim Warsame Hadraawi: A Tribute

We pay tribute to the life and legacy of Mohamed Ibrahim Warsame Hadraawi, one of the greatest, most cherished and well-respected poets and philosophers in Somali history, following his recent passing. We will use this opportunity to unpick the complexity of the man, explore his work and pay homage to his various intellectual contributions. Mohamed Hersi Guled (Abdi Bashir) will lead a discussion among the friends, colleagues and students that Hadraawi inspired along the way, including Rashid Sheekh Abdillahi ‘Gadhwayne’, Said Salah, Zainab Dahir, Abdirahman Abidoon, Mohamed Hassan Alto, Asha Luul, Bill Herbert, Martin Orwin, Farah Gamuutee and others. We hope to give the Somali community a chance to reflect on and honour a figure who embodied our collective values through both his lifelong commitment to community development and social justice, as well as the inspiration he provided to those pursuing resistance and peace. We will also screen a new documentary on his life, including previously unseen footage of one of the last interviews he did with Kayd.

Launch of new Play ‘Dugsi’ in partnership with Side eYe Productions

Kayd and Side eYe Productions, following successful collaborations on Araweelo, HOME and Muna Knows It All, revive their partnership to bring audiences a brand-new play for 2022, ‘Dugsi’. The play, which will premier here at Somali Week Festival, is a comedy based around a group of five teens who, upon discovering their Islamic studies teacher is absent, entertain themselves by telling an anthology of famous

Climate change, environmental crisis and impact on heritage and culture

The Horn of Africa is yet again on the brink of another famine due to recurrent drought, which is affecting communities across the region. Currently, around 9 million people are facing situations of acute food shortages, disease outbreaks and displacement. Water shortages and food insecurity have already led to significant losses to both human and livestock life, and have caused many migrations on a significant scale. This panel will discuss the risks being faced at both the community and regional level, as well as highlighting the emerging activities and initiatives tackling climate change in Africa as a whole, and how these initiatives can be shaped and expanded in the short-term to help address the unfolding catastrophe in the Horn.

Climate change, environmental crisis and impact on heritage and culture

Panellists:

Fowsia Abdulkadir, founding board member of Hankaal Institute for Peace & Policy Development; Nour-Alhuda Ali Banfas, writer and photographer; and Sacdiya Muse, Director of PENHA Somaliland, a pastoral and environmental network focused on displacement, drought and environmental issues and others.

UK premier of play ‘How to Have Fun in a Civil War’ by Ifrah Mansour

Minnesota-based Somali playwright and performer Ifrah Mansour revisits her childhood memories during the 1991 Somali civil war to confront violent history with humour and provide a voice for the stories of global refugee children. How to Have Fun in a Civil War is a one-act multimedia play, which explores war from the idyllic viewpoint of a seven-year-old Somali refugee girl. The play weaves puppetry, poetry, videos and multiple oral accounts taken from community interviews to tell a captivating story about resilience while pushing the audience to engage in a healing process for survivors of the war, for whom the memories are still raw.

TUESDAY

Evolution of Somalis in Tech

This year Kayd collaborates with Somalis In Tech and we discuss the evolution of the Somali diaspora in technology from data , AI, and tech entrepreneurship. This will be a hybrid event where our panellists will be both in person and online. Our guests include Fadumo Ali founder and CEO of Finnish start-up Hoiwa Oy, Shukri Ali from Meta, Mohamed G, Data for Good projects and more! The night will include a chance to network and visit stalls from prominent companies in the world of tech.

We will be joined by Amun Artiste for the evening entertainment.

Book Discussions: The Political History of ModernDay Somaliland

Kayd, in Partnership with the Somaliland Mission UK, presents an evening of reflection on Somaliland’s modern political history. It will begin with a discussion of the recently published book ‘The Biography of Ahmed Silaanyo’ written by Abdirahman Yusuf Artan, with translations by the late Roda Rage and editorial contributions from Farah Hirsi. The book recounts the life journey and political achievements of Somaliland’s fourth President, Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud Silanyo, as it spans the history of Somaliland, from the hasty union with Somalia through to independence.

The evening will also include a discussion of ‘Hilaadin’, with its author Rashid Sheekh Abdillaahi ‘Gadhweyne’, a collection of articles written in different times and for different contexts, which convey personal reflections on Somaliland’s state formation and nation-building, by placing them in the socio-political and historical context.

Second showing of play ‘How to Have Fun in a Civil War’ by Ifrah Mansour

Minnesota-based Somali playwright and performer Ifrah Mansour revisits her childhood memories during the 1991 Somali civil war to confront violent history with humour and provide a voice for the stories of global refugee children. How to Have Fun in a Civil War is a one-act multimedia play, which explores war from the idyllic viewpoint of a seven-year-old Somali refugee girl. The play weaves puppetry, poetry, videos and multiple oral accounts taken from community interviews to tell a captivating story about resilience while pushing the audience to engage in a healing process for survivors of the war, for whom the memories are still raw. The event is held in partnership with Excel Women's Centre. The play will be followed by live performances by popular singer Ali Dhaanto, accompanied by traditional dancers, as well as various upcoming Somali-British singers and musicians. Activities will also be provided for children, including handcrafts and exhibitions.

A night of comedy and poetry,

in partnership with Saafi CIC

Join us for a much-needed Friday night of Somali comedy and poetry featuring Abwaan Maki Xaaji Banaadir of the Benadiri Theatre, an opportunity to celebrate his contribution to Somali arts in an interactive and entertaining format. He will be followed by a performance by the well-known British-Somali musical artist, the Durdur Band.

A Celebration of 50 years of the written Somali Language in partnership with Somali Pen.

Chaired by Abdirahman Abtidoon, the event will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the written Somali script, following its standardisation and introduction in 1972. The event will bring together experts, writers, linguists and activists with a particular interest in the Somali languages evolution over a half-decade. The Somali language, which had previously been communicated across a mix of different formats, is now found in its standardised form, based around the Latin alphabet, across all Somali speaking territories, as well as in the diaspora, creating a shared writing system for the transmission of information and stories across books, websites, television stations, newspapers as well as social media.

Contributors:

Said Salah Ahmed, Sadia Muse Ahmed, Rashid Sheekh Abdillahi

‘Gadhwayne”, Zainab Dahir, Jama Musse Jama, Mohamed Hassan Alto, Zainab Dahir, and Asha Luul Mohamoud

Share Your Talent live on stage in partnership with oxford house

Kayd will host a special collaborative evening at its home of Oxford House in Bethnal Green. The evening will start with the monologue ‘Qooryalo’, in which Abwaan Ina Cawsguroow regales audiences with the tale of a blind man in search of a she-camel without koor (the wooden bell), a successful and provocative allegory of the social realities faced by contemporary African societies. In terse, yet eloquent verses, Cawsguroow laments the social maladies that beset his community and in the process celebrates the trials and travails of the protagonist, Qunti: quintessential truth personified. This will be followed by exhibitions by a number of emerging and established British-Somali artists, through the Share Your Talent platform. It will include performances by Young Artists including poets Sagal Farah, Ahmed Diria and Ibrahim Hirsi. They will be joined by a “buranbuur” (traditional Somali dance and poetry)

negative connotations and he thinks projects such as this will change the misconceptions on how the world views the Somali region. He also has an MSc in Politics of Conflict, Rights and Justice at SOAS, University of artists Ayouni Hassan. An important discussion on the development and

SATURDAY

In conversation with Aziz Mahdi Guudcade and Mohamed Hassan Cali Waji

Mohamed Hassan Ali ‘Weji’ launches his long-awaited book ‘100 Sheeko & Sheeko,’ the sequel to his previous collection of short stories ‘50 Sheeko iyo Sheeko’. Mohamed is a well-renowned comedian, writer, journalists and producer, whose career spans decades of producing drama, songs and music. In addition to his artistic accomplishments, Weji is a fearless human rights activist, particularly involved in bring attention to issues faced by the Gabooye community.

Aziz Mahdi Guudcade is a highly accomplished author, translator and blogger, who has translated six English-language classics into Somali. His personal blog ‘aragtixora.wordpress.com’ presents readers with his critical essays, short stories and translated articles.

Final Beats Closing Concert

Our highly anticipated closing concert provides an opportunity for the community to celebrate along with the most exciting current Somali artists. This year we welcome headline acts from visiting artists Awaleh Aden, Ikran Jama and Ali Dhaanto. They will be joined on-stage by a number of established British-Somali artists.

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