The power of performance poetry
Ella Al-Shamahi speaks with two spoken word poets from Norway and Nigeria about creating poetry designed to be performed in front of an audience.
Spoken word poetry is a powerful tool for storytelling, activism and self-expression. Ella Al-Shamahi speaks to two award-winning poets who use the craft to amplify issues they care about.
Sofie Frost is a Norwegian actor, slam poet and spoken word artist. She won the Norwegian Poetry Slam Championship in 2017 and was a finalist for Norway's Got Talent the following year. Sofie's poems have repeatedly gone viral, amassing millions of views online.
Wana Udobang from Nigeria is a writer, poet and performer. She has released three spoken word albums that explore the themes of familial relationships, womanhood, joy and the body. Wana's work has been commissioned by organisations including the Edinburgh International Festival, Deutsches Museum and the Gates Foundation.
Produced by Emily Naylor
(Image: (L) Sofie Frost credit Astrid Sand Samnøy. (R) Wana Udobang credit Boye Oyewusi.)
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- Mon 5 May 202503:32GMTBBC World Service
- Mon 5 May 202510:32GMTBBC World Service
- Mon 5 May 202517:32GMTBBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
- Mon 5 May 202521:32GMTBBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, Europe and the Middle East & West and Central Africa
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