A window into our world, through in-depth storytelling from the BBC. Investigating, reporting and uncovering true stories from everywhere. Award-winning journal...
Professor Shirli Gilbert explores the story of Żywulska. Imprisoned in Auschwitz, Żywulska turned to poetry and music, creating some of the most remarkable songs of this tragic era. Born in Poland in 1914, Jewish political prisoner Krystyna Żywulska was sent to Auschwitz in 1943. There she was given a very unusual job. She worked at the Effektenkammer, the storage facility for the personal items confiscated from arriving prisoners. This role turned out to be a gift. It gave Żywulska the space and shelter to secretly compose many poems and songs of resistance and optimism, which quickly became popular and spread throughout the camp. She also put on musical events, in secret, to raise the spirits of other Auschwitz inmates.
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In the Studio: Behind the scenes with Ken Loach
The Old Oak will be Ken Loach's last feature film and Sharuna Sagar was granted exclusive access behind the scenes of this landmark movie. She joins the 86-year-old director on his swansong as he brings together his loyal team for one last time. As with his previous two films, I, Daniel Blake and Sorry We Missed You, Ken returns to the North East of England, to tell the story of Syrian refugees who have been housed in an ex-mining village. With him are his long-standing partners, producer Rebecca O'Brien and writer Paul Laverty, and they reveal the secrets of Loach's success, with films like Kes, Cathy Come Home and The Wind That Shakes The Barley.
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Bonus: Sportsworld: Julien Alfred - The Race of My Life
A bonus episode from the Sportsworld podcast. Julien Alfred made history in 2024 when she won the women’s 100 metres gold medal in Paris becoming Saint Lucia’s first ever Olympic medallist. The sprinter sits down with Sportsworld’s Lee James to look back on her historic year, as we find out what it took to become an Olympic champion and the strategy she used to win the race. We also discover the impact of her victory on the Caribbean island and the hero's welcome she received when she returned home with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports in Saint Lucia, Dr. Uralise Delaire and find out how Alfred’s athletics career started with her first coach Cuthbert Modeste.Sportsworld brings you the latest live action and big name interviews from the world of sport every Saturday and Sunday and for more go to bbcworldservice.com/sportsworld or just search sportsworld wherever you got this podcast.
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The Fifth Floor: Russia's crackdown on gay clubs
There have been at least 12 police raids on gay clubs in Russia since November 2023, when the country’s Supreme court banned what they call 'the global LGBT movement'. BBC Russian Anastasia Golubeva has been talking to activists on the ground to find out how these restrictions are affecting them. Five years ago, COVID-19 was spreading around the world, causing millions of deaths. How did the pandemic change our lives, and what lessons have we learnt from it? With Martin Yip from BBC Chinese and Dorcas Wangira, BBC Africa’s Health Correspondent. Presented by Faranak Amidi. Produced by Alice Gioia, Hannah Dean and Caroline Ferguson. (Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)
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BBC OS Conversations: The first days of the Gaza ceasefire
We witness the first Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners being released following the signing of the ceasefire deal. More exchanges are expected over the coming weeks. Meanwhile some displaced people in Gaza have begun returning to see what is left of their communities, and convoys of lorries have started delivering humanitarian aid. We hear from both sides of the conflict. While many welcome the end to the fighting, there is recognition of the trauma caused and uncertainty about whether the ceasefire can hold. Udi in Israel says, “What needs to happen is that both peoples need to create a new narrative for the future.“ Asma, an English teacher displaced in a refugee camp in central Gaza "thank God" she's still alive. And three aid workers talk about the scale of the challenge ahead.
A window into our world, through in-depth storytelling from the BBC. Investigating, reporting and uncovering true stories from everywhere. Award-winning journalism, unheard voices, amazing culture and global issues. From former prisoners in Syria, to the plight of Hindus in Bangladesh, to Nigerian women protecting their community from violence, The Documentary investigates major global stories.We delve into social media, take you into the minds of the world’s most creative people and explore personal approaches to spirituality. Every week, we also bring together people from around the globe to discuss how news stories are affecting their lives. A new episode most days, all year round. From our BBC World Service teams at: Assignment, Heart and Soul, In the Studio, OS Conversations, The Fifth Floor and Trending.