Somalia: ‘Awaken Your Inner Artist’ Talent Show Comes to Mogadishu
Mogadishu — Aspiring Somali artists will soon have an opportunity to show off their singing and musical skills in the talent show “Hirgali Hamigaaga Faneed”, or “Awaken Your Inner Artist”.
The new programme is expected to air Friday nights on Somalia’s Universal TV and National TV channels. On the programme, young men and women showcase their talents by writing and performing songs, poetry and comedy sketches in a competition judged by a panel of Somali artists.
Show presenters told Sabahi they are recording the show and finalising agreements with the networks, and would announce a date for the first broadcast in the coming weeks.
So far there is a panel of three judges — singer Sugal Abdullahi, poet Maki Haji Banadir and singer Habibo Abdi Mohamud, also known as Habibo Wanaag — but that may change.
Mohamud, a former member of the musical group Iftin who recently returned from Sweden, said the competition would be open to singers, poets, comedians and performers from other disciplines.
“This competition will take place in three rounds, similar to how it is done in competitions in many countries around the world,” she said.
In the first round, singers will perform without music accompaniment. Those who move on to phase two will be able to perform with music accompaniment of their choosing, and in phase three they will have to perform songs assigned to them randomly. Other performers will be asked to write and perform improvised material using subjects or words provided by the judges as inspiration.
The programme is a collaboration between the Centre for Research and Dialogue (CRD) and the Somali National Theatre, which aim to revive Somali arts and literature as a means to promote peace.
“The purpose of this programme is to increase peace and promote social integration,” said Abdikarim Farah, deputy administrator of the Somali National Theatre.
Farah said the programme would have hit the airwaves long ago, but a bombing at the National Theatre in April 2012 delayed its start. Since then, and until the theatre is completely renovated, the competition has rented a studio with financial help from the CRD, he said.
Farah said participants could win money and other gifts for their talents, the details of which will not be announced until after the show airs.
At least eighty contestants have signed up for the competition, according to programme organisers. Every week, 10 contestants receive phone calls inviting them to participate in recording sessions the following day.
Organisers told Sabahi the admission process is still open and radio promotions continue to attract new contestant hopefuls eager to sign up for the competition.
“I have always wanted to become like the most famous artists in our country,” said 24-year-old contestant Abdullahi Hassan.
Hassan told Sabahi he had never before had an opportunity such as this to reach his dreams.
“When someone wants to become an artist, it is not easy to purchase equipment without money or the help of experienced mentors,” he said. “However, today I have high hopes of continuing my artistic aspirations. I have completed the first round of the competition and I am hopeful about the next rounds.”