Minnesota Humanities Center Builds on Existing Somali Language Partnership with BFA

The Minnesota Humanities Center recently announced the publication and launch of “Crossroads: An Anthology of Resilience and Hope,” by young Somali writers. Edited by author and educator Marian A. Hassan, the collection includes compelling poetry and prose from 31 Somali American youth and young adult authors from Minnesota. The poets’ and writers’ journey of self-discovery and exploration of their histories, dreams and determination inspire pride and increase understanding for all who read the stories.

In conjunction with the release of “Crossroads,” the Minnesota Humanities Center will host a series of book launch events that celebrate the Somali youth voices found in this anthology.

“Crossroads” builds on the success of four widely distributed children’s books from the Minnesota Humanities Center’s Somali Bilingual Book Project that retold traditional Somali tales. Initially published in 2007, these books were recently reprinted by Books For Africa and 11,000 copies of all four titles (44,000 books in total) will be shipped to Africa over the next 12 months and will be distributed across all regions of Somali.