Somali Culture Festival 2026: free stories, games and film in Stockholm
by 
Babylon Radio
Listen nowA story in two languages, a new board game or a film idea can be a good reason to step into a local library. Stockholm’s Somali Culture Festival continues until 8 November, with free activities that bring readers, families and young people together around Somali culture.
The organiser’s programme spans literature, poetry, film and creative workshops. It began on 30 October and includes events in several communities, rather than one central festival site. For newcomers, the remaining programme offers a way to discover local cultural spaces while meeting people through a shared interest.
Spend Saturday at Kista library
On Saturday 7 November, Kista library’s festival afternoon runs from 13:00 to 17:00. Families with children aged four to ten can join a Somali-Swedish story session from 13:00 to 14:00, followed by a creative workshop until 15:00.
At the same time, visitors aged 12 and over can try shax, a traditional Somali board game, in the library’s blackbox room. Abdibashir Hirsiguled leads the session from 13:00 to 14:00 in Somali and Swedish. The library lists it as drop-in.
Turn an idea into a film story
Young people aged 13 to 16 have another option at Kista: a storytelling workshop with Sahra Ismail from CinemAfrica, from 14:15 to 16:45 on 7 November.
Participants work on ideas, characters and conflict before sharing their stories in small groups. No previous experience is needed. The workshop is free, but the library asks visitors to book a place. Check its current booking page rather than relying on a place being available when you arrive.
A Sunday conversation about home
On Sunday 8 November, Tranströmer library hosts a discussion of När stjärnorna sprider sig på himlen from 15:15 to 16:00. The book draws on Omar Mohamed’s childhood in the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya.
Translator Suzanna Petersson Kero, publisher Musa M. Isse and Mahad Malingur take part in the conversation. The library lists it for adults and young people, with themes including family, migration and the search for a home.
Choose the session that interests you, then check the venue page for age guidance, language and booking details. The festival includes Somali, Swedish and English across its programme, but that does not mean every session is translated. A single afternoon can be enough to discover a new story or a library you want to visit again.