Somali Week Festival 2018

Transcription

1 Kayd Somali Arts & Culture and Partners Present Somali Week Festival 2018 FRIDAY 19TH OCTOBER - SUNDAY 28TH OCTOBER Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, London E2 6HG

2 Somali Week Festival 2018: Theme of the Year: Decade: Looking Forward, Looking Back Kayd Somali Arts & Culture, with its partners, is proud to present its 10th Anniversary of Kayd s Somali Week Festival. The festival which is an integral part of Black History Month will run from 19th October to 28th October 2018 across London in Oxford House in Bethnal Green, City Hall, Southbank Centre, British Library, Rich Mix, The Broadway Theatre in Barking and Chelsea and Kensington Town Hall and The British Museum. This year is a special milestone as the Festival reaches its 10th consecutive year of bringing together one of the largest gatherings of Somalis in the Diaspora during its annual 10-day festival. The theme for this year is the aptly named: Decade: Looking Forward, Looking Back as Kayd s Somali Week Festival reflects back on ten years of celebrating the very best in Somali arts, culture, research and heritage. In line with this year s theme, we bring together guests from previous years with new artists; we will also celebrate those who cannot be with us. By looking back at the great artists and researchers who have attended Somali Week Festival, we hope to not only celebrate the important discussions and music that came out of the festival but also by creating a dialogue of how we can take Somali Week Festival forward for a new generation. Somali Week Festival

3 The importance of arts and culture is that it brings people together and allows them to discuss sensitive issues in a safe environment and the aim of Somali Week Festival is to be an inclusive space where Somalis in the Horn as well as the Diaspora feel represented and important. The 10th anniversary will allow us to not only celebrate what has been achieved during those years, but to also look forward at what is to come. It is also important for Somali Week Festival to create a platform for difficult issues to be addressed in an inclusive space, such as the discussion with Boqor Ahmad Warsame (King of Gabooye), who will be speaking about the issues facing minorities within the Somali region. It is also important, when looking forward, to think about ways in which our history and heritage informs us in how we shape our identity, both in the homeland and in the diaspora. Somali Week Festival is one of the first of its kind to represent Somalis across the Somali Horn without any political affiliation and it is a space for all Somalis to feel welcomed and represented. We are also excited to celebrate the new talents emerging from both the Horn and in the Diaspora, such as our Share Your Talent platform in collaboration with the London Literature Festival in the Southbank Centre which focuses on Women in Arts this year where we give a platform to upcoming Somali poets. The ever-popular final night concert, Final Beats at Kensington and Chelsea Town Hall features the best in Somali music from The Horn, UK and Sweden and is sure to be a night of live music and dancing and a space for everyone to enjoy themselves in a festive closing event. This year we are producing a brand-new contemporary play based on the historical folklore figure Arawelo which will merge heritage with artistic fiction. We will also explore what heritage looks like in 2018 in our collaboration with Project NOMAD that allows participants to experience a 3D version of Somali artefacts. As always, the role of poetry 03 Somali Week Festival 2018

4 in Somali society cannot be underestimated as we gather the iconic poets Dheeg and Weedhsame from the Somali Horn alongside British-Somali Poets Asha Lul Mohamud Yusuf and Mohamed Haykal to mention a few, in a ten-day festival that will look back over Kayd s last decade to capture the essence of reflection and why it is so important to look back at the changes that have taken place over these past 10 years. We are delighted to welcome a number of highly esteemed international guests, including scholars, activists, poets, writers, playwrights, musicians and other artists from the Somali Horn, the UK, the US and Canada as well as several European countries in a festival that celebrates our common Somali heritage and all that we have in common as well as our individuality and uniqueness as people. Our esteemed visiting guests are: poets Weedhsame and Dheeg, music composer Bashir Xaddi, popular singer Ahmed Ali Cigaal, Hibo Nura Mohammed and Cherrie, Journalists Harun Maruf and Mohammed Adow, playwright Said Salah, researchers and writers Maxamed Xirsi and Bodhari Warsame and minority rights activist Boqor Ahmed Warsame (King of Gabooye) and Dr. Jama Musse Jama. They will be joined by UK artists and scholars: Dr. Martin Orwin, Dr. Yusuf Sheikh Omar, Professor Bill Herbert, Hodan Musa, Quman Akli, musicians Aar Maanta and Kiin Jaamac, photographer Mina Shoots, children s programme creator Zaynab Dahir and poets Fatima Diriye, Sagal Gabay, Suhaama Elmi, Mohamed Haykal, Asha Lul Muhamud, Clare Pollard, Will Harris, Yasmin Osman, Aisha Nuri and Deqa Abdi. Somali Week Festival

5 The Programme Friday 19th October 2018 Launch of Kayd s 10th Somali Week Festival British Library Knowledge Centre, 96 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DB 6pm-7pm Drinks Reception in Foyer 7pm-9.30pm Price: 8 Chair: Quman Akli Language: English The launch of the 10th Anniversary of Somali Week Festival will open with Harun Maruf, Senior Editor in Voice of America s Somali Service, in conversation with seasoned Al Jazeera Journalist Mohammed Adow who will discuss the major changes and developments in the Horn over the last decade and what these changes mean for the next generation of Somalis by reflecting on the theme of this year s festival: decade: looking forward, looking back. Upcoming London Poet Sagal Gabay will perform an original poem; the evening will conclude with a traditional dance show featuring the Somali Dance Group Qooran. Prior to the launch, there will be a Reception in the Foyer 6-7pm where drinks and nibbles will be served. During this, there is an opportunity to experience Abira Hussein and Mnemoscene s Nomad. 05 Somali Week Festival 2018

6 Saturday 20th October 2018 Family Programme Oxford House in Bethnal Green, Derbyshire Street, E2 6HG 2.30pm-4.30pm FREE Language: Somali This annual event is one that the community looks forward to and always attracts a full turn out. Zaynab Dahir a Somali storyteller and entertainer who promotes the writing and reading of the Somali language amongst Somali children in the UK, based on the cultural and linguistic resources she has developed, available on The activities will include the performance of a play devised in the run up to the festival, face-painting, arts and crafts, clowns and more! Saturday 20th October 2018 Oxford House in Bethnal Green, Derbyshire Street, E2 6HG Pan-London movement Isbeddel Panel 4.30pm 6pm FREE Language: English This is a lively discussion event with the brand-new Pan-London movement named Isbeddel, meaning to change one s self, that aims to tackle issues affecting the Somali community with their campaign Changing Minds, Saving Lives. The audience can follow the discussion on Twitter using the hash tag #Isbeddel Somali Week Festival

7 Saturday 20th October 2018 Oxford House in Bethnal Green, Derbyshire Street, E2 6HG Pure Poetry: Said Salah, Dheeg, Weedhsame Chair: Dr. Jama Musse Jama 6pm-10pm Price: 6 Language: Somali This evening gathers unique duos: researcher and writer Bodhari Warsame presenting a collection of poetry written and co-edited by poet and playwright Said Salah titled Siinley as well as iconic poet Maxamuud Mohamed Yasin Dheeg who will present his new poetry collection written with Maxamed Xirsi Guuleed (Abdibashir). This is a grouping of major visiting artists whose careers span over sixty years of political change in the region. Within the Somali poetry tradition, there have always been chains of poetic combat. Author Said Salah, who was among the leading contributors of the Siinley, tells in book the chain s background and history in details, including critical information which was not known to the public before. This will be chaired by and in conversation with author Bodhari Warsame. Maxamuud Mohamed Yasin Dheeg. The evening will conclude with a poetry performance by Weedhsame, one of the most promising young Somali poets. 07 Somali Week Festival 2018

8 Sunday 21st October 2018 Launch of Nomad British Museum Claus Education Centre, Great Russell St, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 3DG 2-6pm Price: Free Language: English The Mixed Reality experience is suitable for people aged 13+ Come and enjoy a taste of Somali culture with an afternoon of talks, object handling and the debut of Nomad ; a Mixed Reality experience presenting traditional Somali artefacts used in nomadic communities. There will be an opportunity to visit the British Museum s new Somali object display and learn about its development in collaboration with community partners. Throughout the afternoon there will be a practical demonstration of photogrammetry, a technology which uses photographs to create 3D models. You re invited to take part in this interactive event, by bringing along a personal object to try photogrammetry process for yourself and add your 3D artefact and stories to an online collection. Sunday 21st October 2018 In Honour of the Greats Oxford House in Bethnal Green, Derbyshire Street, E2 6HG 6pm-10pm Price: 7 Language: Somali This night is dedicated to much loved artists all of whom had close ties with SWF who have passed away, and whose work was fundamental in shaping the Somali culture and identity over the past six decades. This evening will showcase an exclusive showing of artists connected to Somali Week Festival that we are honouring this evening. Somali Week Festival

9 Second half of the evening will feature conversation about the hey days of Somali Music and Said Salah and popular Somali singer Hibo Nura Mohamed will reflect on those artists, some of whom have since passed. The evening concludes with a poetry recital by Hibo Nura Mohamed. Monday 22nd October 2018 Anglo-Somali Society Panel Discussion Oxford House in Bethnal Green, Derbyshire Street, E2 6HG 6pm-7.30pm Price: Free Language: English The Anglo-Somali Society is a not-for-profit international friendship society whose objective is to foster friendship and understanding between the Somali and Englishspeaking worlds, by developing cultural and social relations. This evening will feature a discussion with Dr Joanna Lewis, Associate Professor in International History at LSE who has specialised in the history of encounters between Britain and Africa since the 19C. Joanna is currently working at LSE on a research project funded by the Institute of Global Affairs to investigate how refugees forced to flee from conflict. Centred on how refugees survive the trauma of relocation, rebuilt or remake new lives in London, and turn their attention to helping the homeland they have fled. This evening, she will be talking about this in a lively discussion with the audience. 7:30pm 10pm Oxford House in Bethnal Green, Derbyshire Street, E2 6HG Price: Free Language: Somali In conversation with King (Boqor) Ahmed IIman Warsame and Bashir Xadi Boqor Ahmed Iman Warsame is a minority rights activist and has worked with both local and international organization in efforts to promote minority rights; IOM, EU and Minority Rights Group International among others. He works to challenge discrimination against and improve the quality of life for members of minority communities in Somaliland. He 09 Somali Week Festival 2018

10 is the King of the Gabooye community who are stigmatized throughout the Somali region, the King will share with us the main obstacles they face and how different Somali governments within the region and those within the Diaspora can support the Gabooye community and tackle the discrimination and stigmatizations they face. The second session of this evening will be with the prominent music composer Bashiir Xaddi who is a Somali lyricist who is credited with revolutionizing the sound of Somali music over the course of the last 20 years. He has produced some of the biggest hits in recent years and is a tireless teacher to a new generation of Somali musicians and we are honoured that he will be joining Somali Week Festival for the first time. Monday 22nd October 2018 Celebrating Contemporary Playwrights Presents Arawelo The Broadway Theatre, IG11 7LS 7pm-10pm Price: 7.50, Barking Residents 5 Language: English Introducing Arawelo a newly commissioned play about the famous Somali feminist is a folklore that combines traditional Somali storytelling with that of a contemporary way of looking at the story from the diaspora. This will be followed by a Q&A with the cast, director and writer and the audience and a live musical performance by Aar Manta. Somali Week Festival

11 Tuesday 23rd October 2018 Celebrating Contemporary Playwrights Presents Arawelo Rich Mix Bethnal Green Rd, London E1 6LA 7pm-10pm Price: 7 Language: English Another opportunity to enjoy the brandnew Somali-British play Arawelo, based on the Somali folklore warrior queen as produced by Queen of Sheeba International and Somali Week Festival will be doing its second performance this evening in heart central London in Rich Mix followed by a Q&A with the cast, director and the writer. The evening ends with a traditional dance performance by popular Somali dance group Qoraan. Wednesday 24th October 2018 Launch of 10th Anniversary Somali/English Anthology in partnership with Poetry Translation Centre The Chamber, City Hall, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 2AA 6:00pm pm Price: 7 Language: English and Somali This special evening celebrates the longstanding partnership of The Poetry Translation Centre and Kayd Somali Arts & Culture by launching So At One with You, an anthology of poems translated by Poetry Translation Centre and Kayd for Somali Week Festival 11 Somali Week Festival 2018

12 over the last 10 years, including the first Somali English translations of the greatest Somali poets such as Hadraawi and Gaarriye as well as our visiting artists Dheeg and Weedhsame. British poets Bill Herbert, Clare Pollard and Will Harris will read alongside Somali poets Dheeg, Weedhsame, Asha Lul Mohamud Yusuf and Maxamed Haykal as we celebrate Somali poetry in the heart of the City of London. The Anthology will be available for sale during this evening as well. Thursday 25th October 2018 Somali Women Poets: The Next Generation 7pm - 9pm Southbank Centre, Blue Room, 30 Stamford St, South Bank, London SE1 9LS Price: 10 Language: English We will introduce the best of the new talent from our cohort of Share Your Talent artists to perform their latest work of spoken word poetry. The theme for 2018 is Women in Arts and there will be a panel discussion about the changing role of Somali women within the arts and what these changes mean for the next generation of female British- Somali artists. This evening focuses on how British-Somali women contribute to the arts scene in London with a lively discussion as well as poetry readings. We will be showcasing poetry by Suhaama Elmi, Fatima Diriye, Aisha Nuri, Deqa Abdi and Yasmin Osman and the evening will be hosted and chaired by emerging photographer Mina Shoots who is making her mark on London s photography scene. Somali Week Festival

13 Friday 26th October 2018 Past and Future of Somali Studies SOAS, University of London Alumni lecture theatre 7-10pm Price: 7 Language: English Book Launch: Quman Akli in conversation with Harun Maruf on newly released book Inside Al-Shabaab, the Secret History of Al-Qaeda's Most Powerful Ally This research-based evening begins with a conversation with Harun Maruf, Senior Editor in Voice of Americas Somali Service who has been covering Somalia and its struggles with war, terrorism, piracy, and drought since the early 1990s. Prior to VOA Harun worked for various organisations including Associated Press and BBC Somali Service as a reporter in Somalia. Harun has also worked for Human Rights Watch as Somalia Researcher. He will be discussing his newly released book "Inside Al-Shabaab, the Secret History of Al-Qaeda's Most Powerful Ally," which tells the story of the militant group that wants to overthrow Somalia's government and turn the country into a terrorist haven and strict Islamic state. The Future of Somali Studies, SOAS Over the past decade, Somali Studies worldwide have been growing in status and popularity as an area of academic research, attracting many young Somali and non- Somali students. This event will look back and reflect on the outcomes of the conference Dr. Martin Orwin will present the outcome of the annual 2018 Somali Studies International Association July conference in Hargeisa, Somaliland and discuss the future of Somali studies based on issues that arose. He will be in discussion with Dr. Jama Musse Jama, the new Chairperson of the Somali Studies International Association, Dr. Yusuf Sheikh Omar, Associate Researcher at SOAS and young 13 Somali Week Festival 2018

14 scholar Hodan Musa, who presented a paper at the conference, will reflect on these outcomes and the way forward. Saturday 27th October 2018 Somali Books day Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, E2 6HG 6pm-10pm FREE Language: Somali This lively and popular annual event is the only book fair for Somali writers in Europe. It attracts writers from across the continent to showcase their work, to interact 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 stall and sell their books, giving the Somali audience unmatched access to the latest publications. This year we will be selling and discussing brand new publications by Bodhari Warsame, Rashiid Sheekh Abdillaahi, Farah Gamuute, Said Jama and the newly established Somali magazine KOBCIYE and much more. Sunday 28th October 2018 Final Beats Closing Concert of the Festival Kensington & Chelsea Town Hall, Hornton St, Kensington, London W8 7NX 6pm-10pm Price: 15 online / 20 on the door Emcee: Abdirahman Somali Language: Somali The 2018 Somali Week Festival will culminate with music performances from great Somali artists from across the generations. This year we welcome our visiting artist Ahmed Ali Cigal who is a Somali musical legend joining us from the Somali Horn as well as the contemporary singers Kiin Jaamac and Nuur Daalac who have rapidly risen as musical stars in addition to Somali-Swedish sensation Cherrie. Somali Week Festival

15 V E N U E S Oxford House Bethnal Green Derbyshire Street London, E2 6HG Kensington & Chelsea Town Hall Hornton St, Kensington, London W8 7NX City Hall The Queen's Walk, London SE1 2AA Rich Mix Bethnal Green Rd, London E1 6LA SOAS, University of London Bloomsbury, London WC1H 0XG Southbank Centre Blue Room, 30 Stamford St, South Bank, London SE1 9LS The Broadway Theatre Broadway, Barking IG11 7LS British Museum Great Russell St, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 3DG British Library 96 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DB If you would like further information about Somali Week Festival, to book tickets or a stall, or volunteer, please info@kayd.org For the latest news and updates visit our website and follow us on 15 Somali Week Festival 2018

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