Bookbinder Stitching Pages in Hargeisa Atelier

Neon light reflects off the polished floor of a Hargeisa atelier, casting cool blue and pink hues across the workspace. From behind, a bookbinder sits hunched over a wooden workbench, their hands guiding a needle through a stack of cream-colored pages. The dry season air leaves the room dust-free, highlighting the texture of rough twine and the grain of the wood. Muted reflections of overhead fixtures ripple along the smooth surface beneath the chair. Thick spools of thread rest beside the open book, their fibers catching the artificial glow. The binder wears a dark, simple garment that blends with the shadows of the room. A final stitch pulls tight against the binding, leaving a small loop of thread hanging in the neon-lit space.