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

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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

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