Monday June 29, 2026
Somalinimo Week 2026 has been organised by Birmingham’s poet laureate, Ayan Aden
Birmingham, England (HOL) — A weeklong festival celebrating Somali culture, identity and community is underway in Birmingham, with events ranging from traditional dance and poetry to business networking and public discussions.
Somalinimo Week 2026 began Saturday and runs until Friday. The festival is organized by Birmingham’s current poet laureate, 26-year-old Ayan Aden, who said the aim is to help people better understand Somali identity and the British Somali experience.
Aden said Somali stories are often told by others rather than by Somalis themselves.
“There is a massive narrative void… oftentimes stories are told for Somalis rather than from Somalis themselves, and when you don’t have that authentic voice there are natural gaps,” Aden explained.
“The British Somali story is one of resilience, it’s one of constantly pushing forward, it’s one of amazing hospitality and great values of unity and togetherness, these are the things that we want to introduce to people.
“If you’re in a place in England where you’re not near any Somalis and the only voices you’re hearing are inauthentic voices, these are the things that you tend to miss.”
“There is a massive narrative void,” Aden said. “Oftentimes stories are told for Somalis rather than from Somalis themselves, and when you don’t have that authentic voice there are natural gaps.”
- 30 June – Women’s Ciyaar Dhaqameed Night at the Happiness Events Hall, from 19:00 to late
- 30 June – Business and Careers Expo at Zymals Banqueting Suite from 12:00 to 18:00
- 1 July – Role of Somali Diaspora: Roundtable at Birmingham City Council Chambers from 13:00 to 15:00
- 1 July – Library Goes Blue and White at Birmingham Library at sunset
- 1 July – Flag raising ceremony at Victoria Square from 12:00 to 13:00
- 2 July – Who Owns Soomaaliya? at BRIG Cafe from 18:00 to 20:00
- 3 July – Somalinimo Xaflad 2026 at Zymals Banqueting Suite at 19:00
Aden said the festival was designed to offer something for everyone, including people interested in academia, business, careers, culture and traditional performance.
“The festival spans eight days, so there’s a day for everybody,” she said.
She said five events are free and accessible to the community, while others are offered at reduced prices.
“We don’t want to leave anybody behind because that’s the essence of Somalinimo,” Aden said.
The business and careers expo will bring together more than 30 organizations, including higher education institutions, professional membership bodies, accelerator programs for small and medium-sized businesses, a legal clinic, free headshot services for young people and a one-year mentorship scheme.
Aden said the expo is intended to provide practical support beyond cultural celebration.
“What tools are we providing the community to equip themselves beyond just that celebratory moment?” she said. “It’s a way to be able to say to our young people: ‘We are reinvesting back into you.’”
The festival also encourages non-Somalis to attend and learn about Somali culture.
Aden said communities need more opportunities to experience one another’s cultures, food, music and stories.
“As a society, when you’re in your boxes, not seeing each other’s cultures, eating each other’s food, listening to each other’s music, there’s that narrative void which breeds ignorance,” she said.
Somalinimo Week 2026 continues through Friday with events across Birmingham, including the flag-raising ceremony at Victoria Square and cultural programs at local venues.