Somali Week Festival: Trailblazers and Innovators

The Kayd’s Somali Week Festival, the biggest festival of its kind outside of the Horn of Africa, celebrates its 15th birthday.

This event takes place in the British Library. There will be a drinks reception from 6pm.

To mark the occasion, you are invited to an evening of conversation and discussion with trailblazers and innovators from the British Somali community, the wider diaspora and from the Somali region, who are pioneers in creating new paths in the artistic and cultural world.

Writer Ayaan Mohamud wrote her first book during lockdown and during NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) titled You Think You Know Me.

Yusra Warsama is a playwright, theatre practitioner and actress. Yusra is known for her outstanding work including Castle Rock (2018) and The Last Days on Mars (2013).

Ahmed Farah is the winner of the African Film of the Year (director) and the founder of Riyo Films, an international film production company based in East Africa. Farah is also the director of Ayaanle and Array and the founder of Faduma’s Fellowship, which supports fashion designers to create adaptive wear for wheelchair users.

Together they will share an insight into how they gained success and what it means to be a trailblazer in their respective fields.

Discover their tips for success, how they use their Somali heritage and culture to inspire their own art, and their hopes for inspiring a new generation of creative.

In association with Kayd

Doors and bar open at 6pm. A drinks reception from 6pm is included in your ticket

Tickets for this event are pay-what-you-can, from as little as £1.

Half-price tickets available for British Library Members, students, under 26s and other concession groups.

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