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Nairobi to host Somali exhibition as country marks Independence Day

Somalia Ambassador to Kenya Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle. (Photo: X/ Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle)

By Mary Wambui | Monday, June 10, 2024

The exhibition showacases Somali art and culture from June 25 to July 26, 2024 in partnership with the National Museums of Kenya.

The Somali Embassy in Kenya is set to host an exhibition of Somali art and culture from June 25 to July 26 in partnership with the National Museums of Kenya.

Somalia Ambassador to Kenya Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle called on Nairobi residents and diplomats to visit the exhibition and get a glimpse of the Somali culture through its traditional arts and crafts and stories that have shaped the country's journey to independence and promote unity through diversity.

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"In a few weeks, as part of commemorating Somalia's Independence Day, the Somali Embassy, in partnership with the National Museums of Kenya, will host an exhibition of Somali culture and arts. This exhibition, scheduled to take place between June 25 to July 26 will be a vibrant showcase of artefacts, beautiful drawings, artwork and the overall historical journey of Somalia," Ambassador Jabril said.

June 26 of every year is celebrated as Somalia Independence Day while July 1 marks Republic Day in Somalia.

The event is marked in Somalia, across its missions abroad, by the African Transitions Mission troops in the country and United Nations officials and in states where Somali citizens have domiciled across the world.

For example, last year, an estimated 40,000 people attended a week-long Somali Independence Day festival in Minneapolis that was organised by Somali-led nonprofit organisations.

The Somali Independence Day festival was held last year in Minneapolis, USA. (Photo: Therese Scheller, MNHS)

"The focus really is promoting community, kind of shedding light on what the Somali community brings to Minnesota: the culture, the richness of heritage, and traditions," the event coordinator Abdul Mohamed told MPR News terming it the largest celebration of Somali culture outside Somalia.

Roots connection

He added that the festivities provided an important opportunity for younger generations to be connected with their roots.

Last year, the main event was held in Mogadishu with hope and optimism following recorded security gains and the return of relative stability in Somalia.

This year's celebrations follow even more security gains in the country, coming after a hardened resolve by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to end the Al-Shabaab terror group's activities and control of parts of the country.

At the same time, Somalia is on a path of transition from reliance on AU-backed foreign troops whose term ends in December after which the Somali security agencies will take responsibility for the country's interior security.

Last week, Somalia was elected a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

During a vote in the UN General Assembly, Somalia received a total endorsement from Africa and earned 179 votes, more than the two-thirds majority needed to be elected.

The country last served on the Council in the 1971-72 term, during the reign of the Siad Barre regime.