The Hargeisa International Book Fair by BBC Journalist Mary Harper

The Hargeisa International Book Fair: Day One

The Hargeisa International Book Fair is far more than a book fair. It is now in its fifth year running and hosts authors, poets, musicians, filmmakers, artists, playwrights, actors and circus performers, both Somali and non-Somali.

The book fair is being held in the Working Men's Club in central Hargeisa, capital of Somaliland which declared itself independent from the rest of Somalia in 1991. The territory has built itself up from the rubble of war, has a growing economy and a functioning democracy.

The earth was sprayed with water so it didn't get too dusty

The book fair is the brainchild of Jama Musse Jama, a Somali who fled to Italy during the civil war which broke out in the late 1980s, has lurched through various incarnations and is still not over today. Jama lives in the Italian town of Pisa where he has a publishing house, a vibrant website and a family. He is the author of several books. He was until recently a lecturer in Mathematics at Pisa University. Now he works as a computer scientist. Oh, and he invented a computer game based on a traditional Somali board game called Shax.

Jama Musse Jama welcomes us to the book fair

Ayan Mahamoud is the other force behind the book fair. She organises numerous Somali events in the UK and elsewhere, including London's Somali Week.

Ayan Mahamoud (in orange) and Zahra Ahmed, another book fair organiser.

Quman Akli has been working day and night to make sure the book fair runs smoothly. Here she is carrying a lute for Hudaydi, also known as the King of the Somali lute.

There are stalls selling books, paintings, photographs, handicrafts, clothes, cake and drinks. Mini-libraries have been set up so people can borrow books and read them in a specially designated seating area.

The book fair opened with Somaliland's national anthem and other songs.

Then the famous Somali poet, Hadrawi, who had been sitting quietly on his own at the back of the stage, spoke to the crowd. The large hall was completely packed. Many people had to wait outside.

The British-Somali author, Nadifa Mohamed, is here at the book fair to talk about her award-winning novel Black Mamba Boy and her new novel (and even the idea for her third).

There are now taxis in Hargeisa. Last time I came (earlier this year) there were only buses and private vehicles. I had my first ride home from the book fair with Nadifa Mohamed and the Brazilian film-maker Iara Lee.

Nadifa in the driving seat:

Source: Mary Harper's blog