Baidoa, Somalia — The first-ever Southwest State Book Fair concluded in Baidoa this week, marking a significant step forward in the region’s cultural and educational revival.
The fair was organized as part of Peace Week initiatives spearheaded by Southwest State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, who launched the program to promote unity and social cohesion in a region still grappling with insecurity and humanitarian pressures.
Over several days, the book fair attracted a wide audience of government officials, students, educators, authors, and community leaders. Attendees engaged in panel discussions, poetry sessions, and cultural exhibitions aimed at strengthening literacy, creativity, and dialogue.
Organizers said the event was designed not only to celebrate Somali literature and heritage but also to give young people a platform to explore new ideas and envision a peaceful future. For many in Baidoa, where conflict and drought have shaped daily life, the fair was a rare opportunity to gather in a setting that celebrated knowledge and collective aspirations.
The closing ceremony underscored the link between education and peacebuilding. Speakers emphasized that literacy can serve as a powerful tool to counter extremism and foster national development.
The Southwest State administration has pledged to expand similar initiatives, with officials highlighting the book fair as a model for other regions to follow. The event’s success, they noted, demonstrates that even in challenging times, cultural revival and education remain central to Somalia’s path forward.