The <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hargeysabookfair.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Hargeisa Book Fair</a> in Somaliland is hoping to revive the country's lapsed literary tradition. Literature first flourished in the 70s, when Somali President <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.britannica.com%2FEBchecked%2Ftopic%2F547169%2FMohamed-Siad-Barre" target="_blank" target="_blank">Mohammed Siad Barre</a> introduced a standard written version of the Somali language using Latin script.
Somaliland's fight for literature —
The Hargeisa Book Fair in Somaliland is hoping to revive the country's lapsed literary tradition. Literature first flourished in the 70s, when Somali President Mohammed Siad Barre introduced a standard written version of the Somali language using Latin script.
Kate Stanworth
Part book expo, part cultural festival (poets, musicians and dancers are as popular as the author panels), the fair attracts a variety of colorful musical acts, as well as local literary legends.
Somaliland's fight for literature —
Part book expo, part cultural festival (poets, musicians and dancers are as popular as the author panels), the fair attracts a variety of colorful musical acts, as well as local literary legends.
Kate Stanworth
"Animal Farm," "Gulliver's Travels," and even Dale Carnegie's "How To Win Friends And Influence People" were some of the first books translated into Somali.
Somaliland's fight for literature —
"Animal Farm," "Gulliver's Travels," and even Dale Carnegie's "How To Win Friends And Influence People" were some of the first books translated into Somali.
Kate Stanworth
Somali novelist Nuruddin Farah was one of the speakers at this year's event. He is one of several Somali authors hoping to inspire a new generation of writers.
Somaliland's fight for literature —
Somali novelist Nuruddin Farah was one of the speakers at this year's event. He is one of several Somali authors hoping to inspire a new generation of writers.
Kate Stanworth
The fair also hosts workshops for young writers and photographers. Some of the attendees might be the country's next literary giants.
Somaliland's fight for literature —
The fair also hosts workshops for young writers and photographers. Some of the attendees might be the country's next literary giants.
Kate Stanworth