Original version

BBC World Service

BBC World Service Radio

World Service Radio

Migrated podcast image for: Outlook

Outlook

Factual: Life Stories

True stories of ordinary people and the extraordinary events that have shaped their lives.

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service News Internet

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

BBC World Service East Asia

Outlook: A poet in a Burundi war zone, part 1

Magazines & Reviews

A poet in a Burundi war zone, part 1

27/07/2022 GMT

BBC World Service - Outlook, A poet in a Burundi war zone, part 1

JP Bimeni risked his life to save a book of his verse

Growing up in Burundi, JP Bimeni was a mischievous boy who loved pranks and poetry. As his country collapsed into ethnic conflict, he risked his life to save a book of his verse.

Content Warning: This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence

JP Bimeni risked his life to save a book of his verse. He started composing poetry to impress a girl, but was soon writing to address the ethnic tensions which threatened to tear his country apart. When violence did break out he dodged machete-wielding mobs to make it to safety. The mission to rescue his poetry almost cost him everything.

Presenter: Jo Fidgen
Producer: Louise Morris

Photo: JP Bimeni Credit: Gabi Tineo

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Outlook

A poet in a Burundi war zone, part 1

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service

About BBC World Service