National Theatre of Somalia

This is a unique stop on our trip around Mogadishu. The National Theatre of Somalia was built in 1967 and was extremely beneficial for the culture of Somalia. Interestingly enough, the theatre was built by the Chinese as a present from Mao Zedong. The Barre reign used the theatre to push the socialist ideas that he was enforcing. Much like the rest, following the theme, the theatre was closed during the onslaught of wars in the '90s and was one of the first places to be destroyed because of its history.

Now in today's society, the theatre is booming. In 2013 the museum was rebuilt again by a Chinese investment company. This was through a five-year deal that would involve a chance to rebuild the city through China's aid. The theatre is now a stomping ground for many different shows and movies, one of them being a hit show called, Somali-Idol. Much like American Idol, the Somali version features a music singing competition that is held at the theatre. However, in 2014 the theatre fell to a suicide bomber that ruined the anniversary of the show and killed 10 people.

Gettleman, Jeffrey. “A Taste of Hope in Somalia's Battered Capital.” The New York Times. The New York Times, April 3, 2012. https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/04/world/africa/somalis-embrace-hope-and-reconstruction-in-mogadishu.html?pagewanted=1.

Somalia: Singing in Mogadishu. Accessed December 10, 2020. https://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2013/July/30256/somalia_singing_in_mogadishu.aspx.

Person, and The Associated Press. “Bombing at Somalia's National Theatre Kills 10.” CTVNews. CTV News, April 4, 2012. https://www.ctvnews.ca/bombing-at-somalia-s-national-theatre-kills-10-1.791981.

Mwangi, Nyawira. “Somalia Reopens National Theatre Eight Years after Bombing.” CGTN Africa, July 2, 2020. https://africa.cgtn.com/2020/07/02/eight-years-after-bombing-somalia-reopens-national-theatre/.