CISP, within the program “Promoting a culture for inclusion in Somalia” participated with a video screening and panel discussion in the 4 th Mogadishu Book Fair that was held in Mogadishu from 15 th, to 17 th of August 2018. Mogadishu Book Fair is an annual event that brings together authors, scholars, poets, intellectuals and book publishers to promote books, reading, literature and culture.

The video “Mogadishu On-site/Insights, Vision from Hodan” (produced by CISP in collaboration with Art2Be and with the support of the Swiss Agency for Cooperation and development) was screened during the book fair for an audience of more than 500 people. The video is presenting a public arts project realized by CISP in Mogadishu in 2017, and it chronicles a journey made of joy, tears, beauty and hope using words, voices, paintings, photos. It gave the audience a new awareness of Somali identity and Somalia’s rich cultural heritage. It brings to the forefront new perception, emotions and ideas that offer an important reflection on questions of peace, belonging, culture, marginalization and gender.

The video was well received, and the YouTube link of the video was given to the audience. One participant described it as emotional rollercoaster to watch as the film made her cry and at the same time feel good about the future of young people in Somalia. Abdulkadir Mohamed, the CISP Culture Field Program Coordinator took part on panel discussion on the role of culture and arts in social inclusion and building peace. Watch the video