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Abdishakur Mohamed, who was only 16 years old, confidently presented his latest work at the Hargeisa Book Fair, an event that has transformed Somaliland's literary scene over the last decade.
Abdishakur spent four years writing "Ab-ka haleel"
"Instead, they see this as unimportant, and their Somali identity is in danger," he said. l & # 39; AFP. 19659002] At the first annual event in 2008, the organizers only exhibited a handful of books borrowed from friends and attracted only 200 visitors.
Ten years later, literature has taken a prominent place in Somaliland culture. , volumes are being edited, reading clubs are being created and public libraries are open.
The book fair, which runs from Saturday, July 21 to Thursday, July 26, has been a key factor in the adoption of Somaliland literature. international appeal and attracts exhibitors from around the world while helping to raise awareness of the relative stability of the self-proclaimed country unlike Somalia.
Somaliland broke away from the rest of the Horn of Africa country in 1991 – but it has no more international recognition ever since.
"I come because it's a space that really allows people from all walks of life, from ambbadadors to politicians, to artists, to thinkers, different people come right here and share ideas about the future of Somaliland – in addition to looking back at the past, "said filmmaker Khadra Ali.
" We are here to encourage young people and their families. tell the value of writing, be it books, poetry or things related to the art, "said author and playwright Yasmin Mohamed Kahin, whose work was exposed at this year's fair
Somaliland and Somalia as Hadraawi, considered by some as Somali Shakespeare
It was only in 1972 that the military government of Siad Barre codified the Somali language with the aim of strengthening national identity
. More and more authoritarian Barre slowed down the momentum of the formalization of the language
The Somali army subsequently bombed Hargeisa, pushing the Somalilanders to exile in Europe and the country. Gulf. mps in Ethiopia.
One of the visitors of the fair is the activist Edna Adan, the former 80-year-old foreign minister and the wife of the second president of Somaliland, Mohamed Ibrahim Egal.
Adan, who enjoys celebrity status among young people for his activism, recalled his late 1990s tour of the site where is currently the Hargeisa Cultural Center that hosts the fair.
The complex, including a library, gallery and theater, opened in 2014.
& # 39; & # 39; I do not walk the streets because Somali soldiers laid mines, "she said.
Early efforts to promote books and reading received a "very lukewarm" response. "
Adan added that every year there were more and more young people inspired to write in Somali, as well as foreign languages, including Arabic and English
"He introduced the youth to the value of b. University of Pisa, came back from Italy in 2008 and founded the fair.
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He had previously badumed that his compatriots did not read because of their strong oral tradition.
"But I came here and I realized that it was not the reason, what was missing, it was the raw material. "We have forgotten who we are, we have forgotten the art, the culture, the music … You know, in the 40s, 50s, 60s, Somali music was one of the best scenes of African music, young people have no idea what is Somali music. "
But Jama insists that" things have completely changed, "the consciousness of literature and other art forms being increased
. "Ten years ago, they were sometimes surprised to see a girl with a camera on the street – it was something very strange to accept but with time they have changed, "she said.
of Rwanda were the honored guests of this year's event
Rwandan artist Carol Ms. Karemera said that Somaliland, like its own country, had been supported by a new artistic 'self-confidence' after nearly being completely destroyed. 9032]
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