Puntland Culture and Art Revival Launched at PSU

A highly organized launching ceremony was conducted in Garowe on 23rd February 2016 at PSU Multipurpose hall to launch the art and culture revival school based art competition.

The event was attended by distinguished guests from the ministry of information, communication, culture and heritage, DIA-TIS project team, PSU management and Project team, juries, contesters from five schools-four secondary and one primary.

Abdirisack Farah, PSU Art and Culture revival coordinator gave introductory briefings to the guest of honors and the participants.

He stated that the program is a multi component with a large scope extending to 20 schools and Public Talents in four districts in Puntland namely- Garowe, Galkio, Gardo and Bosaso. He said “We hope we will get from this art and culture exhibition a talented young person’s to be proud off.”

Mohaumd Hamud Mohamed, PSU Vice chancellor gave a welcoming and a word of encouragement to the people of Puntland at large and most particularly to the contesters from the different schools.

In his remarks he said, “Somalis have a very rich art and culture.” He added, “It is rare to find on spot poems and exchange of ideas through poems in other cultures besides Somalia”

The vice chancellor was very opmtismic about the young generation and he said, “Our culture is our sign of existence lets strive to protect it”

The vice chancellor was very grateful to the ministries, DIA-TIS USAID for their role and support in reviving art and culture in Somalia. He said “We, PSU are only facilitators- The Program is for the government with the financial support of USAID.

The end result will be high level of interaction among the youth from the four districts, reduced youth related violence. Addressing the youth he said, “We hope you will be courageous and outstanding but ensure discipline and utmost ethics as you interact”

Mustafe, from DIA thanked the distinguished guests, the implementing team and the participants from the different schools.

Mustafe emphasized that the issue of art and culture is a high stake priority and the most important project the organization is implementing. He said, “This is one of most significant project we are implementing with our partners” He added, “Art and culture revival is about accelerating the Somali civilization”

He expressed that the aim of the project being to educate young people about their culture and promote self reliance and reduce social problems associated with youth idleness.

Mohamed Sh. Hassan (Hukun) Chairman of the Intergovernmental Academy of Somali Language Putland Office and also a member of the jury team and a Somali historian and poet gave a word of encouragement and thanks giving to all the stakeholders.

He was very grateful to PSU for their previous accomplishment he said, “PSU did a great job in art and culture revival for the previous two years”

He said, “Somalis are very eloquent and creative and we should be proud of our culture and language”
He thanked DIA-TIS for enlightening art and culture. He said, “This organization (referring to DIA) is very wonderful” and he added “There is no such alike.”

The Director General of the Ministry of Information, Communication, Culture and Heritage-Puntland state of Somalia gave a word of remark during the launching ceremony event.

The Director emphasized how committed the ministry is in reviving art and culture and he said, “ During last year annual cultural, we pledged that we will continue our struggle to revive art and culture and this is the product”
He said, “The only difference between us (Somalis) and other Muslim countries is our art and culture and we should uphold it”

The minister, Ministry of Information, Communication, Culture and Heritage-Puntland State of Somalia- Hon- Mahamud Hassan so-adde  gave brief statement on general issues and a word of encouragement and thanksgiving.

The ministry was very delighted with young contestants and he said, “I am very delighted and really excited” and “ I wish I could be among you wearing the school dress.” In a word of encouragement to the students and the youth the minister expressed that the only way our life can prosper is through education. He said, “If you want to lead a good life, lead your community and develop your people the only solution is Education”

He expressed that Somalis are very powerful artist giving an example of a four year old Somali girl in the Diaspora winning an award in arts. He said, “A young girl of four won an art award in one of the art contestant in Europe”
He encourage the contestants and said, “It is good to test your skills and your potential as it paves way for a future career”

The Minister Officially Launched the program.