Somaliland pushing for Africa solidarity through Hargeisa Book Fair

Somaliland is celebrating the 15th anniversary of the famed Hargeisa Book fair with the theme 'Solidarity'. The self-declared independent country hopes to bring the continent together through culture, arts and creativity. The festival's country partner this year is Senegal and the theme is “Solidarity". Dahabshiil Group of Companies, one of the key corporate partners for the book fair, says this year's theme of  will spur the book fair to another level. Abdirashid Duale, the Chief Executive of Dahabshiil in his speech said the Hargeisa book fair has over the last 15 years exposed the region's creativity in arts and culture. “Over the last 15 years, the Hargeisa Book Fair has helped open up business and investment avenues to the entire Horn of Africa," said Duale. He said Dahabshiil will continue inspiring creativity to inspire the youth to take up arts as an opportunity to use their talent to build the African economy. "Solidarity is also vital when it comes to culture and business. Our company has supported the book fair since day one – and now it’s your 15th birthday." Duale said in his speech on the opening day of the weeklong book fair. He added: “Dahabshiil is passionate about creativity and the arts. They inspire us and all our customers to think out of the box, to think globally, act locally, and unite in solidarity to improve people’s lives.” Duale said this week's naming for the second time of Senegal footballer Sadio Mane as African Player of the Year could not have come at a better time when the Hargeisa book fair has picked Senegal as its partner in the 2022 Hargeisa Book Fair. “When I watch Senegal’s football star Sadio Mane or our very own Olympic champion Mo Farah, I see how with Solidarity you can bring the local and the international together,” he said. Sadio Mane and Mo Farah inspire the youth in Africa and the Horn to work hard to build themselves, their image and that of Africa. As Dahabshiil we are proud of their achievements and their contribution to Africa,” he added. “It’s our core belief that it is the spirit of Solidarity that the public, international and private sector can work together to create common benefits, especially now during the worst drought in 40 years in the Horn of Africa and the fire tragedy three months ago of the Waheen Market in Hargeisa that affected thousands of traders in Somaliland,” he added. One of the festival’s unique offerings is the “country focus” where those who attend get the opportunity to meet writers, poets, scholars, and other personalities from the featured country. Some of the countries that have been given this honour in the past have been Ethiopia, Egypt, Rwanda, Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. For 2022, the country focus is West African nation Senegal which is known as one of the leading literary powerhouses in that part of the continent.