Somali Museum of Minnesota to hold 13th anniversary event at Hopkins Center for the Arts
The institution, which holds over 1,500 artifacts, is celebrating its milestone while preparing to move into a newly purchased $2.3 million building in Minneapolis.
By Samira Khalil ·
The Somali Museum of Minnesota will mark its 13th anniversary on Saturday, October 31, with a public celebration at the Hopkins Center for the Arts. The event is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and carries an admission cost of $25. The museum, established as the first in North America dedicated to Somali culture, uses the occasion to showcase its collection and upcoming physical expansion.
Founder Osman Ali began acquiring objects in 2009 to preserve heritage after Somalia’s National Museum was destroyed during the civil war. The collection now includes more than 1,500 artifacts, ranging from ceremonial drums and coastal jewelry to farming tools and cowhide beds. Ali, a former Minneapolis restaurant owner, selected Minnesota as the home for the collection because it contains the largest Somali population in the United States.
“I was in diaspora for a long time and because of that, I wanted to know who I am, where I come from and where I belong to,” Ali said. “From 2009 up to today, I travel every year, collecting from all the states of Somalia and from different countries.” The anniversary program features live music, dance, comedy, and a fashion show highlighting traditional Somali dresses.
The musical lineup is headlined by Faarow, a pop and R&B sister duo, alongside a performance by the Somali Museum Dance Troupe. The event also includes the premiere of “Laba Adduun,” a play written by the museum’s artistic director, Mohamoud O. Mohamed. Fadumo Ibrahim, the museum’s program coordinator, described the play as a commentary on generational communication within the Somali community.
“The play is talking about the current events happening in the Somali community, especially when it comes to generations not communicating well,” Ibrahim said. “We want every single audience member to walk away thinking about how we can work together as a community to uplift each other.” The celebration serves as a public introduction to the museum’s next phase of growth.
The institution recently purchased a building at 3430 University Ave. S.E. in Minneapolis for $2.3 million. The new facility is expected to include a coffee shop and a gift shop. The museum plans to relocate from its current basement space at Midtown Global Market by this time next year.
The anniversary event is part of a larger weekend of cultural programming in the Twin Cities. Theater Mu presents the world premiere of “Kung Fu Zombies vs. Southeast Asian Girl Scouts” at The O’Shaughnessy in St. Paul, with performances running through November 15. Additionally, the Festival de las Calaveras hosts a block party on Lake Street in Minneapolis, featuring a parade, lucha libre wrestling, and live music.
Source: Sahan Journal
