On July 6, 2025, two Somali Independence Day Celebrations took place in southeast Minnesota with more than 600 Somali elders, youth, families, and community leaders coming together to celebrate liberation, unity, and cultural heritage. One celebration was held at the Rochester Community and Technical College and the other in Owatonna’s Central Park. Both of these vital and vibrant community gatherings were supported in part with grants from SEMAC.
The events featured music and dance performances by more than a dozen Somali artists, activities for youth to connect to Somali history and traditions, and other presentations highlighting Somali culture. They provided spaces for community engagement, intergenerational connection, and proud displays of participants’ Somali identity. Many of the women wore Somali flag dresses – sky blue with a white five-pointed star – and others wore the colors of the flag. This greatly added to the lively, high-energy celebratory mood. (The pictures included in this article were taken at the celebration in Owatonna. Video Recordings of the Rochester event are available on the Somali American Social Service Association’s YouTube channel.)
The celebration in Rochester is an annual event organized by the Somali American Social Service Association (SASSA) in partnership with Hiddo Soor. The one in Owatonna was the first in that community and was presented by Hiddo Soor itself. Established in 2012, SASSA supports immigrant communities in Olmsted County and across Minnesota, empowering them through programs in education, health, youth development, housing advocacy, work development, and cultural preservation. Hiddo Soor was founded in Minneapolis in 2021 with the goal of connecting Somali culture, literature, sports, and arts to the next generation. They recently expanded with offices in Owatonna, Plymouth, and St. Cloud.
“The Somali Independence Day Celebration was a meaningful expression of cultural heritage, community unity, and historical remembrance. Through traditional workshops, performances, plays, youth engagement, and shared stories, the event reinforced Somali identity and fostered a sense of belonging across generations. The participation of leaders, including Mayor Kim Norton, local police representatives, and other community leaders, highlighted the ongoing support for Somali cultural initiatives and the importance of collaboration between the community and civic institutions,” wrote Omar Nur, founder and executive director of SASSA.
Reflecting on the event in Owatonna, Mohamed Wadere, founder and executive director of Hiddo Soor, wrote, “The festival addressed gaps in culturally represented programming, created inclusive spaces that combat isolation, and demonstrated effective multicultural programming models. It also enhanced Owatonna’s reputation as a welcoming, diverse community while strengthening broader community fabric through shared cultural experiences.” He added, “This is the best country to express your culture, freely and truly. Seeing other diverse cultures through various art mediums is a way to show all of us unity through our differences.”