More than 60 entries were received for the third edition of the ‘Silsiladda Nabadda’ (traditional poetry about peace) poetry competition launched on 23 March. Entrants were asked to send a short video of themselves reading their original poem.

A group of three Judges met to watch all the eligible videos which were of very high quality and evaluated them according to language quality, comprehensibility, and originality; relevance to the theme and observance of rules and structure of the poem, in terms of balance and adherence to the traditional rules of rhyme and rhythm in Somali poetry.

The Judges - Abdulkadir Nur Hussein, chairman of the Somali Academy of Sciences & Arts in Mogadishu, Osman Abdullahi Guure a poet, radio journalist and Director of Radio Kulmiye and Hamdi Mahad Farah, a specialist in Somali Language and Litarature– selected the eight finalists.

EU

The eight videos are now being posted on the European Union’s Facebook page and the public is invited to vote for their favourite poem by liking the video. The closing date for voting is Friday 29 April at 11.59 pm.

Votes should come from genuine Facebook accounts and only one vote per account is allowed. Use of unethical means for fake likes or auto liker apps will automatically lead to disqualification for the poet. The EU reserves the right to take measures accordingly to ensure a fair voting process and can stop the award process, or change the conditions, if it is deemed necessary in the EU’s view or due to circumstances beyond its control. 

The winner will be the person receiving the most likes followed by two runners-up.  The three winners will be invited to the celebrations of Europe Day which will be held in Mogadishu on 9 May 2023 where the overall winner will recite their poem.

The first prize will be USD 1000, second prize is USD 500 and third prize USD 250.