Kayd Somali Arts and Culture, in collaboration with Redsea-online, Ocean Somali and other Somali and Somaliland Communities, are proud to present the annual Somali Week Festival at Oxford House, Bethnal Green, East London. The festival is part of Black History Month and will run from Saturday 23rd to Sunday 31st of October. The festival offers the best of Somali arts and culture, both old and new, presenting a mix of events including poetry, literature, drama and panel discussions.

A number of highly esteemed international guests will take part, including poets, writers and a playwright, musicians and other artists. The 2010 festival will provide a great opportunity to meet with Mahamed Ibrahim Warsame ‘Hadraawi’, Amina Abdilahi, Ahmed Saleebaan Bidde, Boon Hirsi and Ahmed Ibrahim Awali

We are also delighted to have two remarkable Somali women showcasing their latest fictional works: Yasmeen Maxamuud from the USA, and London’s Nadifa Mohamed. Nadifa will be present to discuss her book, Black Mamba Boy, and Yasmeen will introduce her work Nomad Diaries to the British audiences.

We are honoured that this years Somali Week will be opened by the Deputy Mayor of London, Richard Barnes, and will be introduced by no other then Mahamed Ibrahim Warsame “Hadraawi”

Somali Week Festival 2010 will showcase visiting artists along with UK and other diaspora Somali Artists and expertise such as:

Hudaydi, Dararamle Hananteeye, Kaltuun Bacado, Dr Martin Orwen, Jama Musse Jama Khadiija Ceerigaabo, Qaboojiye, Ali Seenyo, Nimco Yasiin, Nimco Degan, Said Ali Shire, Abdalle Osman Shafey, Faynuus Sheekh Daahir, Nuur Daalac, Abdi Bahdoon , Diini Khaliif, Faysal Awcabdi Ambalaash, Abdi Good Abees, Cabdillaahi Cawed Cige, Ikraan Arale, Samira Ali. Saado Isse Isman, Mawliid Adan Aydiid (Qolqol), clowns from Magic For All Occasions, Ismail Aw-Aden, Saynab Dahir, Asha Mahamuud Yuusuf “Asha Luul”, Abdirahman Abees, Rashid Gadhwayne, Said Jama Hussein, Sheikh Mahamoud Sheikh Dalmar, Mohamoud Ibrahim, Quman Jibril, Ibrahim Isse, Mohamed Aden, Bootaan , Rob Inglis, Dr. Anna Lindley, Michael Walls, Mark Bradbury, Dr. Mohamed Rashiid Sheikh Hassan, Dr. Steve Kibble, Maxamed Baashe Xaaji Xasan, Abdifataah Yare, Saynab Dahir, Normode and more

We will also show two short documentaries: Jannaalle (The Fortune Men), This documentary, produced by Sahan, aims to explore the history and lives of the early Somali sea farers who came to the UK. The second is a new documentry film discussing youth and citizenship in Somaliland produced by Cabdiraxmaan Yuusuf Arten.

The festival promises to be exciting, educational and entertaining. You will be able to participate in book presentation, debates about social issues, comedy, poetry, film screenings, children’s activities and great entertainment, including music and theatre.

View Full Programme Details (PDF)