Kayd Somali Arts & Culture andPartners Proudly Presents

Somali WeekFestival 2019

‘Art & Activism: Art and CultureDuring Times of Global Change’

Friday 18th October – Saturday 26th October 2019

Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, London E2 6HG

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Somali Week Festival 2019:

Somali Week Festival 2019, an integral part of the United Kingdom’s Black HistoryMonth, will run from Friday 18th October to Saturday 26th October 2019. It will beheld in venues across London: The British Library, Oxford House in Bethnal Green,Rich Mix, Southbank Centre, The People's Palace, SOAS and Broadway Theatre.

The theme for this year’s festival deals with how artists, activists and musiciansrespond and react in times of political change. Using Brexit in the United Kingdomas a catalyst, we look at how the Somali Diaspora both in the UK, US, as well asmainland Europe and Canada unpack what it means to be Somali both in the SomaliHorn as well as abroad during this globally transformative period.

Artists are leading public figures in the Somali region, and artistic forms of expressionoffer the public a means of engaging with new values and ideals, including ideas ofgood leadership. The ongoing discussions on the UK’s exit from the EU will allow usan opportunity to reflect on the current state of democracy and the rise of populistmovements across the world. The topic will serve as a vehicle for further discussionssurrounding the interconnections between leadership and creativity, as well asreflecting on the spaces that Somalis have inhabited and carved out for themselves,both around the world as part of a large diaspora and as artists in their field.

Festival participants will be invited to explore what it means to inhabit, create, movebetween and beyond both different artistic spaces as well as navigate questions ofhome and belonging during this politically transformative period.

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TheProgramme

Friday 18th October 2019

Launch of Kayd’s 11th Somali Week Festival British Library, Knowledge Centre96 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DB6.00pm-7.00pm: Drinks Reception in Foyer 7.00pm-9.30pm: Main EventPrice: £8Language: English

The launch of the 11th Somali Week Festival will open with an important conversationaround this year’s theme of global change and how it affects the Somali Diaspora. Joinus for a thought-provoking conversation between award-winning filmmaker AbdulcadirAhmed Said from South Africa, new Islington Mayor Cllr Rakhia Ismail- the UK's firstSomali-born female Mayor, MEP and Former Lord Mayor of Sheffield Magid Magidwho is the first Somali, as well as the youngest, and the first Green Party councillor tohold this role. Alongside phenomenal actor, writer and theatre practitioner YusraWarsama, founder of the Somali Museum of Edmonton (Canada) Naima Haile andUK based writer, lawyer and diraac designer Hoda Hashi (Ina’Xaashi), they will discussthe impact global change is having on artists, changemakers and cultural producers inthe UK and the Somali Diaspora worldwide.Performance poetry by British-Somali poet from Birmingham Ayan Elmi will concludethe evening.

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Saturday 19th October 2019

Somali Week Festival presents Children’s Day! It Only Takes One Yes – Children’s Book Launch &Aar Maanta’s New Children’s Album PerformanceOxford House in Bethnal GreenDerbyshire Street, E2 6HG2.00pm - 6.00pmPrice: Free | Language: Somali / English

A day full of fun and literature the whole family can enjoy, Somali Week Festival presentsChildren’s Day! Begin the afternoon with Somali-American children’s author Habso J.Mohamud for the launch of her brand-new book It Only Takes One Yes in which Habsohopes to inspire children — especially young girls — to see themselves as being ableto make a difference in the world. This will include a reading of the book and games.

The second part of the afternoon will be dedicated to Ubadkaa Mudnaanta Leh(“Children Have Priority”), a new bilingual Somali-English children’s album created byLondon-based Somali artist Aar Maanta and youth from Minneapolis, Minnesota’sCedar Riverside neighbourhood. With lyrics by the prolific Somali playwright and poetSaid Salax, the album flows between generations and genres, mixing traditional Somalimusic with hip-hop influenced beats, spoken word and poetry, Islamic greetings,educational children’s songs, and much much more! This portion of the day will includea 10-minute showing of the Making of the Album documentary, a sing-along sessionand an acoustic performance by Aar Maanta.

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Saturday 19th October 2019 Classical Somali Poetry and its Evolution Oxford House in Bethnal GreenDerbyshire Street, E2 6HG6.00pm – 10.00pmPrice: £5 | Language: Somali Chair: Mohamed Bashe

An evening of classical Somali poetry, in conversation with masterful and celebratedpoets Said Salax, Ahmedey Abdi Gashaan, Asha Luul Mahamoud, AbdirashidCawsgure, Mohamed Haykal, Moulid Adan Qolqol, Ismail Ubax and AbdillahiHassan Ganey. This evening will explore the unique musicality found in classical Somalipoetry, as well as its ability to embrace the subtle evolution of language while stillremaining faithful to its roots.

Sunday 20th October 2019

In Collaboration with Side eYe Presents New Play ‘HOME’ The Studio, Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Rd, London E1 6LA6.00pm-10.00pm Price: £8 | Language: English

Following last year’s sold out production of ‘Arawelo’, Side eYe Productions return toThe Studio, Rich Mix for Somali Week Festival 2019 with the premier of their new play‘HOME’.They say home is where the heart is but what happens when the head and the heartcollide? ‘HOME’ explores the tensions between sisterhood and self, hope andacceptance in a first-generation Somali family living in London today. The performancewill be followed by a Q&A with the cast and production team. This will be one of onlytwo performances of this original, thought-provoking play as part of Somali WeekFestival in the heart of London.

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Sunday 20th October 2019

Somali Literature in a Changing World Oxford House in Bethnal GreenDerbyshire Street, E2 6HG 6.00pm-10.00pmPrice: FREE Language: Somali

This lively and popular annual event is one of the only book fairs for Somali writers inEurope. It attracts writers from across the continent to showcase their work, to interactwith each other, and present and discuss their new publications with the audience. AllSomali writers who have published books are welcome to set up stalls and sell theirbooks, giving the Somali audience unmatched access to the latest publications. Therewill be a panel discussion on the changing landscape of the Somali language and itsfuture. Chaired by Bodhari Warsame and Dr Jama Muse Jama, the special gueststhis year include acclaimed authors,, Yuusuf Nuur Cisman, Amina MohamoudWarsame (Milgo), Abdi Omer, Abdirahman Abtidon and Mohamed Baashe.

Monday 21st October 2019

The Impact of Humanitarian Disasters in South West Somalia since the Civil War Anglo Somali Society Oxford House in Bethnal GreenDerbyshire Street, E2 6HG 6.00pm-7.30pm | Price: FREE Language: Somali / English Chair: Prof. Eleni Palazidou

The Anglo-Somali Society is a not-for-profit international friendship society whoseobjective is to foster friendship and understanding between the Somali and English-speaking worlds, by developing cultural and social relations. This evening will featurea lively discussion with the audience on cross-cultural solutions. In 2017 the Anglo-Somali Society organised a Drought Appeal, and through the agency of SAAFI (the

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London-based ‘Somali Advice and Forum of Information) was able to support the workof the Centre of Peace and Community Development (CPCD) in the area of greatestneed. Keynote speaker Mustafa Sh Mohamed is the Director of the CPCD, based inBaidoa in the Bay Region of south west Somalia.

After the lecture there will be a panel discussion, chaired by Prof. Eleni Palazidou, ofquestions raised by the audience. The panel will include: Rhoda Ibrahim (SAAFI) andDr. Muna Ismail (Initiatives of Change).

Monday 21st October 2019

Documentary Launch – The City Caught in the Middle Oxford House in Bethnal GreenDerbyshire Street, E2 6HG 8.00pm-10.00pmPrice: £5 | Language: Somali / English

The City Caught in the Middle is a 25-minute screeningthat tells the story of Dadaab refugees in Kenya and howthey turned an empty desert camp into a thrivingbusiness hub despite Kenya’s strict encampment policy.It follows incredible individuals who are making adifference in their lives and communities. Thedocumentary was produced and narrated by MoulidHujale, a former refugee who grew up in Dadaab. He isa London-based contributing writer for The Guardianand covers humanitarian news and the Horn of Africa.The documentary was filmed, directed and edited bySaid Fadhaye, a Somali Filmmaker, also based inLondon.

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Monday 21st October 2019

Share Your Talent Presents: Art & Activism: Resistance Through Poetry, In Partnership with BSMASouthbank Centre, Level 5, Function Room, 30 Stamford St, London SE1 9LS7pm – 9pm | Price: £8 | Language: English

This evening will focus on mental health and is sponsored by the British Somali MedicalAssociation. We will introduce the best of the new talent from our cohort of Share YourTalent artists in Collaboration with The London Literature Festival to perform their latestwork of spoken word poetry and music, as well as a panel discussion on art and activismand its effects on mental health. Performing poets include: Nuura Axmed, MohamedMohamed, Asmaa Jama, Hamidha Awshan, Warda Yassin, Poetical Scorner(Abdullahi) and Fatima Hagi.

Tuesday 22nd October 2019

In Collaboration with Side eYe Productions Presents New Play ‘HOME’ The Broadway Theatre, Barking IG11 7LS6.00pm-10.00pm Price: £7.50 / Barking Residents £5Language: English

Following last year’s sold out production of ‘Arawelo’, Side eYe Productions return toBroadway Theatre for Somali Week Festival 2019 with the premier of their new play‘HOME’.They say home is where the heart is but what happens when the head and the heartcollide? ‘HOME’ explores the tensions between sisterhood and self, hope andacceptance in a first-generation Somali family living in London today. The performancewill be followed by a Q&A with the cast and production team. This will be one of onlytwo performances of this original, thought-provoking play as part of Somali WeekFestival in the heart of East London. Music: Iskilaaji

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Wednesday 23rd October 2019 Diaspora Youth and Their Contribution to Somali Culture &Somali Women Today: Public, Private and Political Spaces SOAS, University of London 6.00-10.00pm | Price: £7Language: English

This evening will begin with a discussion on the Somali diaspora’s contribution and revival ofSomali arts and culture.

Chaired by SOAS scholar Dr Yusuf Sheikh Omar, and the panel willinclude celebrated architect Omar Degan and esteemed Textiles DesignerHafza Yusuf (Hafza Studio).

Omar Degan is a Somali Architect, founder, and principal of DO Architecture and Design, anarchitecture firm based in Mogadishu, specialized in sustainability, emergency architectureand post-conflict reconstruction.

The second part of the evening will feature a discussionfocused on what it means to be a Somali woman in globallychallenging times, and how Somali women navigate thepolitical, social and cultural notions of womanhood today.Chaired by renowned Human Rights Activist, Campaigner andPsychotherapist Dr. Leyla Hussein, OBE, the panel willinclude Founder of the Somali

Museum of Edmonton (Canada) Naima Haile, leading SocialActivist and Educator Hoda Ali, esteemed Textile Designer HafzaYusuf, Founder of Nagaad Women’s Umbrella Organization andSomaliland Women’s Research and Action Group (SOWRAG)Amina Mohamoud Warsame (Milgo) and UCL academic DrMuna Elmi.

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Thursday 24th October 2019

Somali Image- In Conversation with Award-Winning Filmmaker Abdulcadir Ahmed SaidOxford House in Bethnal GreenDerbyshire Street, E2 6HG6.00pm-10.00pm | Price: £7 Language: English

The event will be an evening of films and discussion focusing on the evolving narrativeof Somali cinema. The night will showcase the work of award-winning DirectorAbdulcadir Ahmed Said, whose highly acclaimed short film Geedka nolosha, or Treeof Life, has won numerous awards including the Prize of the City of Torino in the BestInternational Short Film Competition at the Torino International Festival of YoungCinema. The panel will also feature talented UK based director Ali Naaji, ProducerSamira Musa and Producer Umal Birchall. We will be screening the following short films: Sea Shell, Fate and Birth, made by theaforementioned filmmakers.

Friday 25th October 2018

Share Your Talent Presents: Comedy Night6.00pm - 10.00pmOxford House in Bethnal GreenDerbyshire Street, E2 6HGPrice: £5 Language: English / Somali

This artistic evening will be a continuation of Kayd’s Share YourTalent platform, this time looking at how humour is used by Somalicomics to respond and react to times of global political change,including but not limited to, Brexit, President Trump, the rise of thefar right in the West as well as constant political and social changein the Somali Horn. This is an evening about laughing through

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uncertainty where comics will touch on the impact social mediahas had on comedy and its tool as social commentary.Headlining comedian Prince Abdi, and comedians Mo Omar,Anisa Farah and Mustafa. Hosted by Somali comedian andpoet Abdulrazak Farah.

Saturday 26th October 2019 Final Beats – Closing Concert of the Festival The People’s Palace, Queen Mary University, E1 4NS6.00pm-10.00pm Price: £25 online / £30 doorLanguage: Somali

The 2019 Somali Week Festival will culminate for the first time in the borough where itstarted: Tower Hamlets in The People’s Palace with music performances from iconicSomali artists from across the generations with the headlining artist Maxamed BK, UKsensation Aar Maanta, legendary singer Nimco Yaasiin, outstanding young singerXariir Ahmed, as well as the ever popular Iskilaaji. The Future of Somali Studies, SOAS

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If you would like further information about Somali Week Festival, to book tickets or a stall, or volunteer, please email info@kayd.org

For the latest news and updates visit our website www.kayd.org

and follow us on Twitter @somaliweekfestInstagram: @somaliweekfestivallondon

Facebook: @kaydsomaliarts

V E N U E S

Oxford HouseBethnal GreenDerbyshire StreetLondon, E2 6HG

SOAS, University ofLondonBloomsbury, London WC1H 0XG

Southbank CentreBlue Room, 30 Stamford St,South Bank, London SE1 9LS

The Broadway Theatre11-13 Broadway, Barking IG11 7LS

Rich Mix 35-47 Bethnal Green Rd,London E1 6LA

British Library96 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DB

The People's PalaceQueen Mary University ofLondon, Mile End Rd,London E1 4NS

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