Welcome to Somali Week Festival 2024
Join us for the opening of Kayd’s 16th annual Somali Week Festival. This year’s theme, Creative Worlds and the Environment, highlights the intersection of art and environmental activism. Experience an evening filled with influential speakers, cultural performances, and engaging discussions that celebrate Somali heritage.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with community leaders, artists, and innovators who are shaping the future of Somali culture through creativity and dialogue.
PRESS RELEASE - SOMALI WEEK FESTIVAL 2024
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About Somali Week Festival 2024!
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About Somali Week Festival 2024! *
The Somali Week Festival (SWF) is an annual celebration coinciding with the United Kingdom’s Black History Month. It takes place from Friday, 18th October to Sunday, 27th October 2024, across various venues in London. As the largest Somali cultural festival outside the Horn of Africa, SWF gathers Somali artists, academics, and influencers from the Somali region and diaspora. The festival showcases Somalia’s rich cultural heritage through literary, musical, and theatrical performances, along with discussions on critical social issues.
Launch Event
The festival begins on Friday, 18th October 2024 at the British Library, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. This year’s launch features a conversation with Dr. Sada Mire, a Swedish-Somali archaeologist and art historian, who will discuss the impact of climate change on Somali heritage. The event includes a presentation on sustainable technologies, a debate on wellbeing, and a live performance by the legendary Dur-Dur Band, one of the most iconic Somali musical groups.
Theme: Creative Worlds and the Environment
The 2024 theme, Creative Worlds and the Environment, explores the intersection between art and environmental issues. The festival will explore how traditional and contemporary Somali art forms reflect environmental challenges. Themes such as climate change, sustainability, and the protection of the natural world will be highlighted, using the arts as a platform for environmental activism and awareness.
Event Highlights
Throughout the week, attendees can enjoy a diverse range of events including panel discussions, film screenings, and workshops. Some highlights include:
Film Premiere of "Amina": A story of a Somali MMA fighter, directed by Swedish-Somali filmmaker Ahmed Abdullahi.
Children’s Entertainment: Family-friendly storytelling, films, and educational activities celebrating Somali culture for younger audiences.
Community Champions Panel: A motivational discussion highlighting achievements of inspiring Somali community leaders.
Book Launches: Featuring diaspora authors showcasing new works exploring themes of migration, identity, and resilience.
Join Us
SWF 2024 promises to be a vibrant celebration of Somali culture, creativity, and community spirit. Whether a returning attendee or a first-time participant, there is something for everyone. The festival aims to raise awareness of environmental and social issues through Somali artistic expression.
Launch of Kayd’s 16th Somali Week Festival
Conversation with Dr Sada Mire
The evening will be closed with a live music performance by the legendary Dur-Dur band. Dur-Dur band was formed in the 1980s and was one of the most well-known acts on the Mogadishu disco scene at the time.
The host of the event is Samira Musa. She is a British-Somali film and TV producer with extensive experience in corporate and film finance. She is currently at Netflix as the Global Franchise Coordinator. Her passion for exploring, capturing and showcasing the evolving complexities of the human race led her to producing film, TV, documentaries and audio productions.
October 18 /2024
British Library
London
6PM - 9PM
Kayd’s launch of the 16th annual Somali Week Festival will showcase this year’s theme, Creative Worlds and the Environment. The Festival will be opened by the honorable H.E Rushanara Ali. She is a Labour MP and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. This will be followed by a conversation with esteemed scholar Dr Sada Mire on the impact of climate change on heritage. Dr Mire is a Swedish-Somali archaeologist, art historian and presenter who is currently Associate Professor of Heritage Studies at University College London. She is also a public intellectual and heritage activist, and in her 2014TedXEuston talk she argued that cultural heritage is a basic human need. The Hay Festival of Literature and the Arts selected Mire as one of their 30 international thinkers and writers in 2017. She became the Director of Antiquities of Somaliland in 2007.
Performance of I REMEMBER, in partnership with Maanta Theatre Company
25 OCTOBER 2024
7 PM
RICH MIX
This evening will feature another performance of the new play I REMEMBER: A Journey of Survival, Identity, and Resilience. This brand-new play was produced through a collaboration between Kayd and Maanta Theatre Company. I REMEMBER tells the gripping story of a young boy uprooted by war in Somalia, who must navigate the challenges of a new life in London. This powerful play explores themes of identity, belonging, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. Through vivid storytelling and compelling performances, I REMEMBER shines a light on the universal struggle to forge a new identity while honoring one's roots. Don’t miss this poignant exploration of survival and cultural identity. Join us for an unforgettable journey of hope and resilience!
The performance will be followed by Q&A with the director.
The event will be hosted by Amina Isir. Amina, a storyteller committed to celebrating and elevating Somali cultural production. Forever lost in a qaraami song, she beautifully intertwines the past, present, and future to further distill Somali cultural identity. Currently, she produces the ISIRKA podcast, a digital journey exploring identity, culture, and belonging, enriched with GREAT sounds and stories.
26 OCTOBER 2024
7 PM
RICH MIX
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX
London Literature Festival with Asha Luul Mohamud and Yasmin Mohamed Kaahin
Friday 25th October 2024
Location: South Bank Centre
7:30 PM – 9: 30 PM
Language: English
Price: £5
Language: English
Somali Week Festival partners with the Poetry Translation Centre and the South Bank Centre for an evening of poetry featuring Somali poets. The artists featured this evening include Asha Luul Mohamud and Yasmin Mohamed Kaahin.
Asha Luul Mohamed is an influential poet and her poems have touched the minds and hearts of many Somalis around the globe. Asha’s poetry collection, The Sea-Migration, was named the Poetry Book of the Year 2018 by The Sunday Times. Asha’s work has been translated by Claire Pollard, and they will jointly read some of the work together.
Yasmin Mohamed Kaahin is a screenwriter, playwright, and a poet from Somaliland. She is one of a small group of Somali women who are making significant contributions to modern Somali literature. She has composed several wide-spread theatre plays and dramas acted by home-grown and energetic young actors. She also writes films on social affairs and leads nationwide poetry and theatre play tours, like the recent poetry caravan ‘Six regions and Six poems’ that focused on the risks of youth migration. Yasmin is also the founder of MASAF - an organization that stands for changing lives through fine arts.
Yasmin’s work has been translated by Mohamed Hasan Alto.
Event Details Below
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Event Details Below --------
269 Kilburn High Rd, London NW6 7JR
Honouring Maandeeq’s Lifetime Achievements
Kiln Theatre (Celebrating Somali Arts & Artist in partnership with SAAFI)
Saturday 26th October 2024
Location: Kiln Theatre
6.00pm – 10.00pm
Price: £10
Language: Somali
During this event, we will celebrate the lifetime achievements of Maandeeq. Faadumo Cabdillahi, popularly known as Maandeeq, is perhaps the greatest Somali female artist, and one of the first female singers and actors. She started acting in plays in the 1960s while very young. Different Somali musicians, scholars, artists, and community champions will join the stage with Maandeeq to honour and celebrate her iconic legacy, including Maxamed Aadan Dacar, Maxamuud Cumar Yare, Nasteexo Indho, Nimco Degan, Harir Salah, Gayid Ismail, Rashid Ali Hamari and many more.
The evening will conclude with a live performance by Nimco Degan, a UK-based artist who will be singing Maandeeq’s songs. Maxamed Aadan Dacar, is a former famous Somali singer, actor, composer, and vocalist.
Ticket Details Below
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Ticket Details Below --------
All Somali Week Festival Events
Please take a moment to visit our EventBrite Page, where you can easily book all the events listed below.
Friday, 18th October 2024
Launch of Kayd’s 16th Somali Week Festival - Conversation with Dr Sada Mire
Location: British Library, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Language: English
The Festival opens with a conversation with Dr Sada Mire on the impact of climate change on heritage, followed by a performance by the legendary Dur-Dur band.
Saturday, 19th October 2024
Galool Somali Children’s Entertainment
Location: Oxford House, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Price: FREE | Language: English / Somali
Storytelling, film, face-painting, educational programmes, and more for children, featuring Ilwad Sabban of Galool Somali Children's entertainment.
Saturday, 19th October 2024
Community Champions: Celebrating Somali Community Heroes
Location: Oxford House, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Price: £5 | Language: English
A motivational panel discussion featuring inspiring community leaders chaired by Dr. Abdi Rahman.
Saturday, 19th October 2024
Somalis for Sustainability: Climate Action and Stories from the Horn
Location: Oxford House, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Price: £4 | Language: English
A discussion on climate change led by a group of climate activists and educators with a Q&A session.
Saturday, 19th October 2024
Book Launch of Invisible State by Jama Gulaid
Location: Oxford House, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Price: Free | Language: English
Celebrate the launch of *Invisible State*, chaired by Dr Jama Musse Jama.
Saturday, 19th October 2024
Film Screening and Discussion: Untold Stories, Qaraami & Traditional Dance
Location: Oxford House, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Price: £10 | Language: English
Film screening of *Untold Stories* followed by a Q&A session and live music performances by Dahabo Ali Bogoreh and others.
Sunday, 20th October 2024
Book Fair
Location: Oxford House, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Price: £5 | Language: Somali
A lively book fair featuring Somali writers from around the globe.
Sunday, 20th October 2024
Conversation with Said Saalax and Performance by Ikran Mahabe
Location: Oxford House, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Price: £10
A vibrant conversation with Said Saalax, followed by a performance by Djiboutian singer Ikran Mahabe.
Monday, 21st October 2024
Book Launch of Knowing by Ear by Dr. Anette Hoffmann
Location: Oxford House, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Price: Free | Language: English/Somali
Launch of *Knowing by Ear: Listening to Voice Recordings with African Prisoners of War in German Camps (1915-1918)* by Dr. Anette Hoffmann, exploring historical voice recordings and colonial history.
Monday, 21st October 2024
Book Launch of Love Songs in Motion by Dr. Christina Woolner
Location: Oxford House, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Price: £5 | Language: English
Launch of *Love Songs in Motion: Voicing Intimacy in Somaliland*, an ethnographic account of love songs in Somaliland by Dr. Christina Woolner. Hosted by Amina Isir.
Monday, 21st October 2024
Discussion on Youth Opportunities in Tech
Location: Oxford House, 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Price: £10 | Language: English
Interactive discussion featuring young innovators and representatives from Somalis in Tech, focusing on green technology. Hosted by Kareema Hersi.
Tuesday, 22nd October 2024
Beauty, Wellness and Fashion in the Somali Community
Location: Oxford House, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Price: £5 | Language: English
An evening of beauty, wellness, and fashion, featuring a panel of Somali women, including Hinda Ahmed, Hafsa Issa-Salwe, and Samsam Abdi. Chaired by Awo Ahmed.
Tuesday, 22nd October 2024
Book Launch and Comedy Night
Location: Oxford House, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Price: £10 | Language: English
Launch of *Salutation Road* by Salma Ibrahim followed by performances by comedians Ola Labib, Diesel, and others. Hosted by Christina Woolner.
Wednesday, 23rd October 2024
Film: Amina
Location: Rich Mix, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Price: £10 | Language: English subtitles
Screening of *Amina*, followed by a Q&A with director Ahmed Abdullahi. Hosted by Baar Hirsi.
Wednesday, 23rd October 2024
Book Launches and Conversations by Ubah Cristina Ali Farah, Aamna Mohdin & Sagal Ali
Location: SOAS, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Price: £5 | Language: English
Book launches and conversations exploring identity and migration with Ubah Cristina, Aamna Mohdin, and Sagal Ali. Hosted by Laura Hammond.
Thursday, 24th October 2024
Film: Amina
Location: Rich Mix, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Price: £10 | Language: English subtitles
Second screening of *Amina*, followed by Q&A with director Ahmed Abdullahi. Hosted by Zahra Ahmed.
Thursday, 24th October 2024
Theatre, Poetry and Music Night
Location: Oxford House, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Price: £10 | Language: English
Theatre performance of *I Remember*, followed by poetry readings and a musical performance by Safwan Halac. Hosted by Amina Isir.
Friday, 25th October 2024
Performance of I REMEMBER
Location: Rich Mix, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Price: £10 | Language: English
Performance of the play *I Remember: A Journey of Survival, Identity, and Resilience* by Maanta Theatre Company, followed by a Q&A. Hosted by Amina Isir.
Friday, 25th October 2024
London Literature Festival with Asha Luul Mohamud and Yasmin Mohamed Kaahin
Location: South Bank Centre, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Price: £5 | Language: English
An evening of poetry with Asha Luul Mohamed and Yasmin Mohamed Kaahin, part of the London Literature Festival. Chaired by Erica.
Saturday, 26th October 2024
Honouring Maandeeq’s Lifetime Achievements
Location: Kiln Theatre, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Price: £10 | Language: Somali
A celebration of Maandeeq’s lifetime achievements with live performances by Nimco Degan and others.
Saturday, 26th October 2024
Performance of I REMEMBER
Location: Rich Mix, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Price: £10 | Language: English
Another performance of *I Remember* by Maanta Theatre Company, followed by a Q&A with the director.
Sunday, 27th October 2024
Final Beats Concert with Axmed Cali Cigaal, Dalmar Yare & Hanad Bandz
Location: Queen Mary University, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Price: £20 | Language: Somali
The closing concert featuring renowned artists Axmed Cali Cigaal, Dalmar Yare, Hanad Bandz, and others, marking the grand finale of the festival.
Somali Week Festival Booklet
You can now use the flipbook below for a better reading experience.