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Welcome to our September FMV Book Club meeting!This month, we turn our focus to the Democratic Republic of Congo — a country rich in natural resources, history, and culture, but also marked by colonial extraction, violence, and global silence.
September’s Book Pick: How Dare the Sun Rise by Sandra Uwiringiyimana
Genre: Memoir
From: Congo / Burundi → USA
About the book:
Sandra Uwiringiyimana tells the remarkable true story of surviving the Gatumba massacre, growing up as a refugee, and finding her voice as a young woman of color in the U.S. Her journey speaks to war trauma, forced migration, racism, and what it means to belong — when your country, and then the world, tells you that you don’t.
Why we chose it:
What’s happening in DR Congo is one of the deadliest conflicts since World War II, yet it remains deeply underreported and widely ignored. Millions have been killed or displaced, and sexual violence is used as a weapon of war. Meanwhile, the world benefits from Congo’s resources — including cobalt and coltan used in phones, electric cars, and tech devices.
We believe it’s not only time to read stories from Congo, but to listen to the people living them, especially women and girls whose voices are often erased in narratives shaped by others.
Sandra’s memoir helps humanize a conflict the world refuses to see. It’s a call to witness — and a reminder that silence is not neutrality.
Haven’t read the book? Come anyway!
Our discussions are always open — whether you’ve finished the book, skimmed it, or just want to learn. We’ll talk about the themes and the global context, together. Bring a friend.
📌 Join our community:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/382802586790525
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Bergen Assembly, Halfdan Kjerulfs gate 4, 5017 Bergen, Norge, Bergen, Norway
