by InTrieste
In a blend of cultural celebration and historical inquiry, the Museum of Oriental Art played host to an extraordinary event in the heart of Trieste, Italy. Against a backdrop of regional and municipal dignitaries, as well as the esteemed President of the Somali community in Trieste, Ahmed Faghi Elmi, a momentous occasion unfolded – the unveiling of the photographic exhibition “Mogadishu – and its historical urban evolution: pages of the city’s history,” alongside the conference “Somalia – From the search for the past to the perspective of the future.”
Trieste’s municipal representatives underscored the longstanding collaboration between Italy and Somalia, a relationship rooted in mutual respect dating back to the late 19th century and fortified during Italy’s trusteeship in Somalia. The photographic exhibit, meticulously curated by Maria Spina and Gabriella Restaino, delves into Mogadishu’s architectural lineage, capturing the city’s evolution as a testament to the intersection of culture, tradition, and design.
President Ahmed Faghi Elmi expressed gratitude to the Municipality of Trieste, the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, and the exhibition’s curators for their instrumental roles in bringing this cultural dialogue to fruition. Organized by the Italo-Somali cultural association Sagal, the exhibit aims to bolster Somalia’s political and social aspirations while fostering cross-cultural understanding.
The exhibition, “Mogadishu and its historical-urban evolution: pages of the city’s history,” offers a captivating journey through Somalia’s capital, documenting its architectural heritage across 47 panels adorned with narratives in both Italian and Somali. This collaborative endeavor, made possible by international scholars and institutions like the Somali National University and the University of Bologna, serves as a digital archive preserving Mogadishu’s rich cultural legacy.
Despite the ravages of war and cultural upheaval, Mogadishu, often dubbed the “Pearl of the Ocean,” retains echoes of its millennia-old past. The exhibition’s Scientific Committee, comprised of esteemed scholars and experts, endeavors to raise awareness of Somalia’s cultural heritage, safeguarding it from the perils of indiscriminate destruction and exploitation.
Through virtual itineraries spanning Mogadishu’s historic quarters to its modern thoroughfares, the exhibition provides a window into the city’s storied past and resilient present. Visitors are invited to traverse the labyrinthine streets of Shingaani and Hamarweyne, immerse themselves in the accounts of intrepid travelers, and witness the evolution of Mogadishu’s urban fabric from antiquity to the present day.
Supported by a coalition of institutions and organizations including the Embassy of Italy in Mogadishu and the University of Trieste, the exhibition serves as a beacon of cultural exchange and mutual understanding. As the doors of Warehouse 26 in the Old Port swing open on April 18, 2024, visitors are beckoned to embark on a journey through time, exploring the architectural tapestry of Mogadishu and honoring its enduring legacy.
