About HCCC

Halabuur Centre for Culture and Communication is an independent, nonprofit organization that seeks to cater for the rehabilitation, protection and development of culture and communication outlets in the Somali-speaking Horn of Africa.

The beginnings of the Halabuur initiative dates back to the early 1990s when a small group of London-based Somali professionals, led by an experienced writer and journalist, took upon themselves to respond to the urgent need to safeguard the endangered Somali cultural heritage and to revive a once rich cultural tradition devastated by years of violent conflict in Somalia. As the nodal point of their activities, the group launched in London in 1993 a unique literary and cultural periodical, in English and Somali, called HAL-ABUUR, Journal of Somali Literature and Culture (ISSN 0968-9184).  

A first of its kind ever, Hal-abuur journal instantly became a prestigious forum for Somali literature and culture; it was unique in its focus, its inclusive approach, cutting across clan lines, and in the nature and quality of its contributors. During its period of publication, the journal had channeled, both in English and Somali, original works by hundreds of creative writers and competent scholars from around the world, including many young talents for whom the magazine had provided an outlet to launch their writing career for the first time. The success of the journal led to the birth of Halabuur Centre which, in addition to the publication of the journal, had organised many professional and public meetings, literary events and cultural festivals, mainly in Britain where it was based.

Unfortunately, in later years the activities of the Centre, including the publication of Halabuur Journal, suffered serious setback; it became dormant for sometime due to technical and financial difficulties, as well as unfavorable circumstance faced by the Centre’s voluntary staff, all of whom were in exile.