In November 2022, Jigjiga, the capital of Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State, will host its first international book fair, joining a growing movement of Somali‑language literary events. For a culture that adopted the Latin Somali script only in 1972, the rapid rise of reading and writing in just 50 years is extraordinary. The Hargeysa International Book Fair (HIBF), now entering its sixteenth year, has been the driving force behind this transformation. Drawing over 100,000 attendees and inspiring sister events in Garowe, Mogadishu, and now Jigjiga, the HIBF has helped turn Somali literature into a mainstream cultural force. Book fairs are doing more than promoting reading – they are bridging the gap between Somalia’s rich oral traditions and its emerging written heritage. Through regional reading clubs and youth initiatives, the movement is preserving indigenous knowledge, fostering new authors, and even sharing expertise across Africa, from Rwanda to Malawi. With over 76 Somali‑language books launched at HIBF in just two years, the momentum is undeniable. As Somali society continues this literary renaissance, book fairs stand as powerful symbols of cultural pride, intellectual growth, and the enduring value of storytelling in all its forms.