Hargeisa International Book Fair kicks off

The 15th Annual Hargeisa International Book Fair officially opened on Saturday at the Hargeisa Cultural Center. The Vice President of Somaliland Abdirahman Saylici officially opened the event where he appreciated the founder of the center Dr Jama Muse Jama for organizing the annual event. The theme of this year’s Book fair is “Solidarity” .

In his remarks, the foreign affairs minister Essa Kayd welcomed the republic of Senegal which is the guest country this year. However, the officials announced that the Senegalese guests are still on their way to Hargeisa and are expected to arrive either on Sunday or Monday.

During the opening ceremony, the head of the British office Lizzie Walker noted that solidarity is among the main principles of Somaliland people as the country faces severe droughts. The Taiwan representative to Hargeisa Allen Lou also described the Hargeisa international book fair as a creative and energetic event in Somaliland. He underscored that Taiwan stands with Somaliland in response to natural disasters and the two countries can achieve more if they keep their ties.

Some of the participants have expressed their experience about the occasion and believe that it’s one of the most important events in the country for the last 15 years.