News Saturday 3 July 2010
Announcement: 2010 Hargeisa International Book Fair

CULTURAL FOUNDATION and its partners KAYD SOMALI ARTS and CULTURE and ILAYS are delighted to announce the 2010 Hargeisa International Book Fair which incorporates the Second Mooge Festival. This year, we will explore the theme of ‘CITIZENSHIP’ and the week long programme will take place from the 23rd of July to the 27th of July 2010 in Hargeisa.

Last year, the theme we chose was ‘CENSORSHIP’, and we examined the different issues relating to this complex area. This year we will explore the theme of ‘CITIZENSHIP’. We will introduce and launch the theme, highlight, debate and explore issues relating to citizenship. All participants are encouraged to examine their own relationship with the concept of citizenship including the different literary expression and poetic forms they prefer. We will be surveying and discussing written literature that deal with the wider issues concerning citizenship, and we will be encouraging both artistic and personal approaches.

Citizenship is a multifaceted concept and among other things describes how individuals can contribute and become a part of a nation through its community, laws, promotion of rights and civic duties. The overall programming of the festival aims to celebrate creativity and to debate the important vehicle that art can be. Well-known artists will share with us their ideas about citizenship and nationhood and what role art and culture play in nation building.

After the opening ceremony, the theme will be introduced by the celebrated poet Mahamed Ibarahim Warsame “Hadraawi” and will be followed by a discussion on the theme. Writers, poets and other thinkers, both national and international, will address the theme of citizenship over the course of a full four days programme through book presentations, poetic reciting, conferencing, lyrics performance and other forms of literature expression and arts. The festival will be attended by international and local writers and artists including some who work in other disciplines,but have explored similar themes.

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