We are thrilled and honoured to share some incredible news! Somali Village has been named the winner of the Cultural Knowledge Exchange Project of the Year at the NCACE Future Icons of Culture Knowledge Exchange Awards. Along with this prestigious title, our project has been awarded a £1,000 prize, which will directly support our ongoing mission.
This national award is hosted by the National Centre for Academic and Cultural Exchange (NCACE), an initiative led by The Culture Capital Exchange (TCCE) and funded by Research England. The awards celebrate outstanding collaborations between higher education and the arts and culture sectors. For us, this win is a beautiful validation of what can be achieved when academic research and community knowledge come together to bring hidden histories to light.
Reclaiming Our History: The Somali Village in Colonial Bradford
Our award-winning project, A Somali Village in Colonial Bradford, explores the complex, deeply moving experiences of the Somali community who were placed at the centre of Bradford’s 1904 Great Exhibition.
We have worked hand-in-hand with Somali historians, elders, creatives, and cultural experts. By blending academic research with our community’s lived knowledge, we are developing a more balanced, authentic, and respectful account of this history. This project is about more than just looking back; it is about bringing greater visibility to the Somali experience and empowering our diaspora to shape and own its historical narrative.
The Power of Partnership
This achievement does not belong to us alone. It is the result of a powerhouse network of regional partners who believed in this vision. Nominated by the Cultural Institute (University of Leeds), this journey has been a deeply rewarding joint effort between Somali Village (as lead organisation) and our incredible partners:
- Bradford Culture Company (Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture)
- Cartwright Hall Art Gallery (Bradford Museums Service)
- University of Leeds
- University of Bradford
Accepting the award on behalf of our team, Somali Village trustee Prof. Fozia Bora (Professor of Islamic History, University of Leeds) beautifully captured what this moment means to us:
On behalf of the Somali Village project team, we are incredibly grateful to receive this prestigious award, which recognises both the power and the magic of effective collaboration. Our partners have helped us to co-create a wide range of outputs, including an archaeological dig and associated national TV show segment, a free-to-access schools resource pack and an exhibition that runs until this Autumn.
Two years ago, we had no idea that these creative ways of telling an important and yet morally challenging story would be possible. Our Somali partners (Culture House and Koor Archives in particular) have brought essential knowledge and expertise to allow this history to be shared appropriately, alongside fantastic support from the Universities of Leeds and Bradford, Bradford City of Culture 2025 and the Bradford Museums service. Further support from the Bradford Literature Festival has brought the research to new audiences. A huge thank you to all!
Making History Accessible to All
The most rewarding part of this project has been translating historical research into meaningful public outcomes that everyone can engage with. Together, we have successfully brought this history out of archives and into the community through:
- An Archaeological Dig & National TV Feature: Bringing physical history to life for a wider audience.
- A Free Schools Resource Pack: Ensuring future generations grow up with a balanced understanding of our local heritage.
- A Public Exhibition: Open until this autumn at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, where you can connect with these stories firsthand.
- Literary Outreach: Collaborating with the Bradford Literature Festival to introduce this vital history to entirely new audiences.
A Heartfelt Thank You
We want to extend our deepest gratitude to NCACE, Research England, and TCCE for recognizing the value of our work. Most importantly, a huge thank you goes out to our Somali elders, historians, and community members, especially Culture House and Koor Archives, whose knowledge, trust, and expertise made this project possible.
Thank you for supporting us as we celebrate, honour, and preserve our history.
Somali Village 
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