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Witness History: The anthem of the Arab Spring

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The anthem of the Arab Spring

29/01/2021 GMT

BBC World Service - Witness History, The anthem of the Arab Spring

How a singer in Tunisia helped inspire young protestors all over the Middle East in 2011

How a singer from Tunisia helped inspire young protestors all over the Middle East in 2011

In December 2010, anti-government protests broke out in Tunisia after a young fruit-seller called Mohammed Bouazizi set himself alight outside a government office in the south of the country. At one of the huge rallies in Tunis, a young singer called Emel Mathlouthi sang a song called "Kelmti Horra" or "My Word is Free". A video of her passionate performance immediately went viral and inspired protestors to take to the streets in other parts of the Middle East in what became known as the Arab Spring. Emel Mathlouthi talks to Witness History.

PHOTO: Emel Mathlouthi performing in 2012 (Getty Images)

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