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 and the Mooge 2010 Literary Festival. This year, the festival will explore the theme of ‘citizenship.’ The weeklong program will take place from the 23rd to the 27th of July 2010 in Hargeysa. Last year, the theme of the festival was ‘Censorship.

The public will be encouraged to examine their own relationship with the concept of citizenship including the different literary expressions and poetic forms in Somali culture. Writers and poets will survey and discuss written literature that deals with the wider issues concerning citizenship and how it is related to Somalia political crisis and tribal structure. Well-known artists will share heir ideas about citizenship and nationhood and what role art and culture play in nation building. The overall programming of the festival aims to celebrate creativity and to debate the importance of arts as a vehicle of change.

The celebrated poet Mahamed Ibarahim Warsame Hadraawi and will open the festival on the 23^rd of July. Lecturers and participants also include Dr. Hussein Bulhan, Hargeisa University Chancellor, Prof. Saleebaan, , Dr. Ahmed Hussein Isse. Expected participants are Chairman of Unugga Waddaniyada Organization in Somaliland, Cabdiraxmaan Aw-xasan Macallin “Baas”, and Cabdirisaaq Maxamed Muuse (Hirga). Visitors will have a chance to explore books available during the book fair and participate in discussion panel. Books also will be available for college students and for public libraries. AfrikaNation arts will showcase paintings and other art exhibitions. Novelist Nadifa Mohamed, the feature guest of the festival, will discuss her debuted novel, ‘Black Mamba Boy,’ which has already been short-listed for the Orange Prize in Fiction. Black Mamba Boy is biographical depiction of Nadifa Mohamed’s father childhood and his journey through many countries in East Africa, Yemen and all the way to England.

The festival will be attended by international and local writers and artists including; Nadifa Mohamed author of ‘Black Mamba Boy’, Jama Musse Jama, Hadraawi, Dr. Bulhan, Dr. Ahmed Hussein Isse, Saiid Jama Hussein, Dr. Adan Yusuf Abokor, Ahmed Gahair, Ahmed Mohamed, Shukri Haji Ismail, Yusuf Shaacir, Xasan Ganey, Hadraawi, Gaarriye, Kayd, Dr Fadal, Axmed Aw-geeddi, Ahmed Mohamud Madar, Nimco Gabaydo, Fowzia Hormood, Abdillahi Xaaji, Belolow, Abdinasir Ma’alin, Anab Guled, Faysal Omar Mushtashteg, Mahamed Ahmed Kuluc and many others.

Presentations and plays by SOCSA, MURTIMAAL, NEGAAD, SONYO, HAVOYOCO, UNUGGA WADANIYADA Somaliland, and readers’ clubs from across Somaliland.

Come celebrate with us in Hargeisa at the main cultural event in Somaliland.

For further details, write to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call one of the following phone numbers: Jama Musse Jama (+ 2522) 4255155 – Ayan Mahamoud (+2522) 4096140

ALL ARE WELCOME! First come, first served – spaces are limited.

PROGRAMME: Click here to see the full programme