DHAXALREEBHIBF2014program

A Message From The DirectorHargeysa Cultural CentreAt long last Hargeysa has its own Cultural Centre. This is morethan simply good news for the arts and culture sector in thecountry, but also marks the realisation of what manySomalilanders and their friends have dreamed for over theyears. It is the embodiment of the what, seven years ago, theHargeysa International Book Fair was founded for. It is withgreat delight that we convey this message to our artists,scholars, researchers, students, children and ordinary citizens,who, we are certain, will make this place their second home.And we hope this may also be true for all those people whoearnestly stood by us and sincerely wished us well in fulfillingthis wonderful vision. On this equally solemn and joyousoccasion, we would like to celebrate this highly importantevent with one of the most popular song poems composed bythe outstanding poet and most distinguished Somaliplaywright, the late Hassan Sheikh Mumin. We havereproduced the song poem below with a rather liberal Englishtranslation. Our intention is to enable the readership to graspat least the most essential glimpses of Hassan’s poetic missionand remember the wisdom of a worthy son of Somaliland,who years ago so eloquently described the vital role playedof language, art, culture and heritage in our society.In a masterpiece of literary work, Hassan Sheikh Mumin wroteDadwaynahaan Hanuuninnaa (We Guide The Masses) in1968 within his most notable play Shabeel naagood(translated by B.W. Andrzejewski in Leopard Among TheWomen). This verse-chorus lyrics, consisting of three stanzas,became so popular also because it was used for the openingof every show performed by the Waaberi troupe (the majornational musical group). The leading vocalist who sings thesong is Hibo Mahamed ‘Hibo Nuura’, with other prominentWaaberi members performing the chorus. The music wascomposed and arranged and directed by Bashiir Xaddi. Thecore message of the song is that culture constitutes the bedrockfor the social and individual development ofhuman beings. The three stanzas focusrespectively on Language, Heritage and theArts. At the end of each stanza the chorus sharplycontrasts with the stanza both melodically andrhythmically. It reminds the listener about how artistsalways produce to the best of their abilities, and how theywork with dignity, vigilance and perseverance, whileentertaining the masses, so that the core values of our societycan be protected, reformed and promoted, with the aim ofleading the people towards a common interest.The first stanza focuses on the mothertongue:Habeen iyo dharaarHadalladaan dhisnaaAfkeenna Hooyo ooHorumaraanKu hamminaaHaggaaminnaaHad iyo jeerHabnaa ooWaan hagaajinnaaMa hagrannee waanU hawlgalnaaMurtidaan hurinnaaKala hufnaaHaqabtirnaaU heellan nahayDadwaynahaanHanuunninnaaHaasaawinnaaDanta u hagnaa.Every day and night,We create narratives,Our major desire being our mother tongue developed,We lead, feeding this development, for its betterment,Never making less of what is in our capacity, we work for this,Holding high the wisdom, filtering to get its best part,nourishing and ready for its growth,We guide the public, entertain the masses, and direct them tothe common interest.Now it comes to the heritage:Taariikhda hiddahaanHabaaska ka tirnaaHannaankii aan ku sooDhaqmaynay baan u hiilinnaaLamahuraanHilinka toosan baanDhallinta u horgalnaaMa hagrannee waanU hawlgalnaaMurtidaan hurinnaa19