Geediga Nabada - Peace Caravan!

Somaliland

International and national artists will combine with children from Hargeisa-based Havoyoco Circus to create a show!

Somaliland

Nairobi?

Somalia Puntland Somaliland Nairobi, Kenya

Bill Brookman will travel to the Horn of Africa to continue his artistic director and consultancy work developing Geediga Nabada, the Somali Peace Caravan.

See: http://www.billbrookman.co.uk/geediga/

Somalia Puntland Somaliland Nairobi, Kenya

Some of these areas are very dangerous and we must see if it is indeed possible. Up to the present the Peace Caravan has never been armed wherever it has operated in the world. However Somalia represents our greatest challenge yet. We are worried that this policy may have to change.

We must cover the following issues: Access to justice, juvenile justice, civilian police, the role of the police, impunity of individual perpetrators and our Community Safety Plan where-by we advance the idea that communities take responsibility for their own safety.

Somalia Puntland Somaliland Nairobi, Kenya

Bill Brookman will travel to the Horn of Africa to continue his artistic director and consultancy work developing Geediga Nabada, the Somali Peace Caravan.

See: http://www.billbrookman.co.uk/geediga/

Somaliland & Puntland, Somalia

Geediga Nabada, the Somali-based pro-peace arts organisation is planning to be at the forefront of the Somali response to the World Week Against Armed Violence, 10th – 16th May 2010.

In spite of the worsening situation between Somaliland and Puntland over disputed ownership of the Sool region Geediga Nabada will mount simultaneous festivals in both regions.

The festivals will comprise two football tournaments and public events featuring poetry, art and music. The football and poetry will both be competitive; known poets will judge poems from women's and children's groups. Key speakers will be invited to attend.

Latest developments can be found at www.billbrookman.co.uk/Geediga Go to "calendar" and write "world week" in the Find box.

Bill Brookman
The Bill Brookman Foundation
Bill@billbrookman.co.uk

Abdillahi Ahmed Abdillahi
For Kow Media Corp.
Office: + 252 6 30 7777
Mobile: +252 417 8889
abdillahi@kowmedia.net

From IANSA, the International Network on Small Arms, http://www.iansa.org/WoA2010_Fra.htm
:-
"Chaque année à travers le monde, les activistes saisissent l'opportunité de la semaine mondiale d'action contre la violence armée, à fin de sensibiliser et de faire campagne pour une meilleure législation sur les armes et pousser pour un renforcement de la réglementation du commerce mondiale des armes. Cette année, la Semaine d'Action est du 10-16 Mai. L'an dernier, les membres du RAIAL/IANSA dans plus de 90 pays ont souligné le coût humain de la prolifération et l'utilisation abusive des armes légères; ils ont également exigé que les gouvernements adoptent des politiques qui place la sécurité de leurs citoyens en premier lieu."

Somalia Puntland Somaliland Nairobi, Kenya

We are planning up to 150 events over the next 6 months!

See: www.billbrookman.co.uk/Geediga

Loughborough Parish Church of All Saints & Holy Trinity, Sparrow Hill, Loughborough

Hear Baroness Cox talk about the Hart Foundation. Hear Bill talk about his fascinating and difficult work with the United Nations establishing Geediga Nabada a Somali group of performers dedicated to community peace and reconciliation.

The evening will include stunningly beautiful dances by The 101 Performing Arts Group and we hope to have a distinguished guest speaker.

Admission will be by donation. Wine and drinks available for a donation. Why not come earlier or stay on afterwards for a get-together with Bill and other Foundation members? Bring a bottle if you wish.

To book a place contact Janet Grant, secretary, The Bill Brookman Foundation, janet@billbrookman.co.uk , 01509 554623

Newfoundpool WMC Beatrice Road Leicester LE3 9FJ 0116 262 7230

We have teamed up with Tony Wadsworth's upBeatles, Will Chandler as Cliff Richard and Mickey Vegas as Elvis to raise money for the victims of the Haiti earthquake.

Also do come along to our meeting, 7th March if you are interested in helping formulate The Bill Brookman Foundation response to the Haitian earthquake disaster.

Bill Brookman created "Caravane de la Paix" a collection of artists and performers in Haiti 2006-7.

Nairobi

This is the 4th meeting of NGOs and international organisations who comprise the UNDP Somalia community strategy working group.

Bill Brookman is planned to talk introducing the idea of restorative justice.

Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG

This afternoon will be organised with our partner organisation Redsea-online. Somali society is a mainly oral society. Considering that its language was only codified in the early 1970s, the written word is a very recent addition to Somali culture. Redsea-online is heavily involved in promoting a culture of writing and reading.

Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG

This afternoon will be organised with our partner organisation Redsea-online. Somali society is a mainly oral society. Considering that its language was only codified in the early 1970s, the written word is a very recent addition to Somali culture. Redsea-online is heavily involved in promoting a culture of writing and reading.

Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG

Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG

This comedy night promises to be an exhilarating mix of old and new. Boon Xirsi is one of our visiting artists, regardless his lost of his sight managed still to be regarded an amazing performer and a great comedian. Boon will be performing with our own London-based Prince Abdi, the only established Somali stand-up comedian.

Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG

Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG

Abdilaahi Xaaji from Djibouti national TV will show a short film and a presentation on the work that they are doing with regards to the revival of Somali culture.

Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG

Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG

This is the second time we are putting on ‘Baqayo Roged', a drama produced by Abdirahman Yusuf Arten. This one-act play is dealing with some of the core principles of the festival which are gender, equality and tolerance. In addition to the important themes, which the play tackles, the play will introduce a new style of writing, staging and acting to the Somali audience.

Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG

Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG

Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG

Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG

Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG

Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG

Performance by Amina Abdilaahi and readings and performances from London-based female artists

This event aims to encourage female artists to present their work in public following the performance by Amina Abdilaahi. Amina is one of this year's visiting artists. She is a successful member of one of the biggest Somali artists group's "Waaberi band". She lives in her home town Borame, Somaliland and she will be performing this evening with Nimco Dareen and Fariya Fisk, both young London-based emerging talents. The second half of the evening will be dedicated to showcase women's poetry by artists such as Aisha Lul and Warsan Shire. Warsan is also a stand-up comedian mainly known on the university circuit.

Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG

Hasan Abdi Madar is going to read to children and their parents. He will also be available to discuss with parents the best way to read to children. He will be followed by Ismail Aw-adan.

Plus fun from young members of Bill Brookman Productions presenting have a go circus and bubbles and some poi dancing!

Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG

Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG

Kinsi is one of the big talents living in Hargeysa, beloved for her feminine voice, She will be joined by UK-based artists Nimco Degan and Bahdoon. Expect an unforgettable event promising a smooth blend of melody and harmony.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w66Px5sXvJo

Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG

This day of Somali poetry will feature three well-know visiting poets and composers; Baarleex, Banfaz, Mahamed Jama Kaid, and Ahmed Saleebaan Bidde.

Baarleex is one of the greatest Somali poets; his style of recital is unique as he can recite by heart poems of extraordinary length. Baarleex is renowned for his great knowledge of Somali oral culture and tradition. He invests much of these traditional elements to feed the beauty and richness of his poems.

Banfaz is a teacher and political poet who was imprisoned during Siyad Bare's regime for six years. He joined the freedom movement for Somaliland which makes him a very important advocate for the freedom that Somalilanders now enjoy.

Ahmed Saleebaan Bidde is extremely well known and prolific as a romantic song writer, poet and lyricist writing songs for and accompanying many important Somali singers such as Kinsi Adan (see following concert)

Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG

Tommy Flynn's Camden High st London

We will close the evening with music from Aar Band. Aar is a talented artist who, having dedicated his debut album Maanta (‘today') to raising awareness about the plight of the Somali people, has reached out to many young Somalis in the UK.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPMsby7xqKQ

Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG

Tickets £10
Somali Week Festival 2009 will explore the theme of arts censorship and creative freedom of expression throughout the extensive programme of events. Both the festival and the theme will be launched by Rashid Sheekh Abdilaahi. Whilst the festival's programming aims to celebrate the artists' creativity, it will also discuss the important role that art can play within society. We will hear from artists such as Ali Banfaz who will recite some of his work and will be joined by the renowned Scholar Sheikh Mahamoud Sheikh Dalmar.

The panel will discuss how the artists have experienced different acts of censorship and what their reactions and effects were. We will explore with the visiting artists whether they would have made the same choices in the past with the knowledge that they now possess of the consequences.

Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG

This is your chance to see what The Bill Brookman Foundation and Kow Media Corp. of the Horn of Africa, are doing to promote the international community response to safety in the Somali territories.

Together they have founded Geediga Nabada – The Somali Peace Caravan. This group of around 10 – 20 dedicated Somali artist is touring the region encouraging ordinary Somalis, assisted by members of the diaspora, to make local changes to bring safety to their community.

You can find out more at www.billbrookman.co.uk/geediga

Africa