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The Cultural Frontline: Roger Robinson: Finding paradise in poetry

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Roger Robinson: Finding paradise in poetry

22/02/2020 GMT

BBC World Service - The Cultural Frontline, Roger Robinson: Finding paradise in poetry

The poet Roger Robinson on creating personal and political work

What does paradise mean to you? The British Trinidadian poet, writer, activist and musician Roger Robinson shares his new collection A Portable Paradise. He tells Tina why his work was framed through the lens of slavery, the tragedy of London’s Grenfell Tower fire disaster and the premature birth of his son and how he wants his poems to inspire people to practice more empathy.  

We meet the man giving a voice to the Rohingya people through poetry. The poet Mayyu Ali on how he’s telling the story of his community amidst turmoil, tragedy and trauma.

Plus has a book, a song or a poem ever changed the way you see the world? The acclaimed novellist Ha Jin reflects on the work of an icon of Chinese literature, the romantic poet Li Bai.

Presented by Tina Daheley

Image: Roger Robinson
Image credit: Adrian Pope

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