Somalia writers hosting first International book fair in Mogadishu

Somali capital Mogadishu has hosted the country’s first ever International Book Fair. The three-day book fair has attracted hundreds of people, including Somali writers from different parts of the world as well as lovers of literature drawn from the various corners of the country. AMISOM PHOTOS

Saturday, August 29, 2015

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MOGADISHU Somalia -- The Somali capital Mogadishu has hosted the country’s first ever International Book Fair, as the country evolves from years of civil war, now embracing the world of art and literature.

The three-day book fair has attracted hundreds of people, including Somali writers from different parts of the world as well as lovers of literature drawn from the various corners of the country.

Mohamed Sheikh Ali Ahmed Diini, the founder and chairman of Mogadishu International Book Fair says the event has been largely fruitful, also providing a platform for the many budding Somali writers to showcase their work.

"We have brought together speakers, authors, writers, intellectuals and poets from all around the world.

"We have also tried to give a platform to home grown talent.

"So you have young writers, we have up and coming poets we have all kinds of talents that is kind of hidden away in the country.

"Even in this city, for example, there is a sixteen year old kid who is here with us today who has written six books.

"He has never left Mogadishu, has never had anyone to appreciate him, has never had platform like this one to say hey I am sixteen, my talent, my mind my ambition is far bigger than the number 16," he said.

Mohamed Sheikh Ali added that the book fair also aims to enhance the reading culture, especially among the youths.

"It is a platform for those kinds of people but is also known to be a platform for everyone who loves the culture of reading, writing books and literature.

"We want to celebrate books.

"We want to celebrate literature.

"We want celebrate reading.

"We want to celebrate knowledge.

"We want celebrate intellectual debates and discussions.

"We want to be able to bring up so many of our young brothers and sisters who have so much in their hearts and minds, who probably don’t have a place to come to" Diini added.

Abukar Abdullahi Mohamed is the 16 year old Somali writer and Author of six books.

Born and raised in Mogadishu, he has great ambitions, to impact on his country through literature.

"I have written about six books.

"If I tell you the names of the books, the one I am holding is called Hor umariya noolasha (The development of life), Ceelkii cilmiga (The well of Knowledge), caruurtaan dayacan cidee baa u maqan (Who are the lost children waiting for), xulkii xikmada (Collection of wisdom) and Tus maal (Show wealth) I am now writing two books namely kasma Barahaaga (The knowledge of your teacher) and Dhalinyaro dhulkooda Kahayaameeyso (Youth migrating from their country).

"The motivation for my writing is to challenge the notion that Somali raised youngsters cannot write.

"The question I am being asked all the time is whether Abukar has been bred in the diaspora.

"I have never been out of the country and I was bred in the country and my aim was to promote the Somali language". Abukar Said.

Sucdi Dahir Diriye, is a Somali female an author who has written whose first book, which is in Somali is titled Waad Guuleeysan kartaa (You can win or succeed).

She says the journey to having her book published was marked with great trials, with editing being the biggest challenge.

Her motivational book is now on the shelves of many school libraries and government institutions.

"I am attending this event with my book Waad Guuleeysan kartaa (You can win or succeed) that I published this year.

"This is my first book but it will not be my last.

"It is a book that talks about the lives of people especially the youngsters.

"I intended to encourage the young generation that are migrating from the country, having lost hope of securing education or future prospects.

"It is a book that can lead youngsters into achieving their goals and to understand the road to success, what obstacles they must encounter and tips on how to overcome them.

"That’s the content of the book," said Sucdi.

The book fair also provided a social platform, where people like Sagal Biihi met up with friends they hadn’t seen in many years.

"The Mogadishu international book fair is an event where everybody can meet everybody.

"There are so many people here and this will have a big impact whether on what people believe, how they perceive books and knowledge," she noted having been reunited with a high school classmate.

Students from the different institutions were also drawn to the book fair, which they described as motivational.

Ifrah Hussein Ahmed said:

"Today I am very glad to have attended a book fair that is held in Hotel Plaza and I am very hopeful that one day I will be part of it.

"I am happy for the Somali writers. Thank you". Abdurahman Ahmed, also a student added:

"It is a great honor for me to attend this ceremony.

"I have seen a lot things, a lot of famous people, a lot of authors and academic people who came from different countries.

"They told me that I can write books and I can tell others that everybody can write books". Abdurrahman said.

The organizers are hopeful that the Mogadishu International Book Fair will become an annual festival, celebrating books, culture as well as inspiring many more Somali people to embrace reading and writing.

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