Other

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

The Fifth Floor

Factual: Life Stories

Global stories from the BBC’s 40 Language Services, with Faranak Amidi

Faranak Amidi presents global stories from the Fifth Floor, home to the BBC’s 40 Language Services.

Faranak Amidi presents global stories from the Fifth Floor, home to the BBC’s 40 Language Services

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service East Asia

BBC World Service News Internet

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service

The Fifth Floor: Explaining Tigray

Documentaries

GettyImages-1229689653 (1).jpg

20/11/2020 GMT

Explaining Tigray

BBC World Service - The Fifth Floor, Explaining Tigray

What is behind the conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray region?

The crisis in the Tigray region of Ethiopia has continued to intensify, but what are the repercussions for ordinary Tigrayans?  Hana Zeratsyon of BBC Tigrinya tells us how the conflict is affecting her friends and family back home.  And where did the tensions begin?  The BBC's Emmanuel Igunza, who was based in Addis Ababa for many years, explains. 

Keeping a precious text alive 
La Galigo is an ancient text which tells the creation story of the Bugis people of South Sulawesi in Indonesia, and is described by UNESCO as the most voluminous literary work in the world.  Very few people understand the archaic language it's written in.  Callistasia Wiyaya of BBC Indonesian has been hearing about efforts to keep La Galigo alive.   

It started with a film poster…
A planned film about the life of Sri Lankan cricketing legend Muttiah Muralitharan has led to a huge backlash in south India, causing the lead actor to quit.  The BBC’s Nalini Sivathasan explains the controversy around the film.

Learning English to survive: North Korean refugees in South Korea 
North Korean refugees in South Korea at least share the same language as their host country.  Or do they?  BBC Korean’s Julie Yoonnyung Lee has been finding out how poor English skills can damage their chances in a society pervaded by English in education, culture and business.





Image: Ethiopian refugees who fled fighting in Tigray province 
Credit: ASHRAF SHAZLY/AFP via Getty Images

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Fifth Floor

Explaining Tigray

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

About BBC World Service