European cycling
Wednesday 27 June 2007 21:45-22:30 (Radio 3)
On the eve of the arrival of the Tour de France on British shores, Isabel Hilton explores the cultural world surrounding European cycling.
She asks why, given that Britain produces world-beating cyclists at the Olympics, it does not enjoy the fiercely held traditions, rituals and local passions associated with continental road cycling.
Peter Blake
Peter Blake
Marcel Duchamp's World Tour: Playing Chess with Tracey 2003-05
Courtesy Waddington Galleries, London © Peter Blake 2007. All rights reserved, DACS
Playlist
Chinua Achebe
Isabel Hilton talks to the acclaimed Nigerian author Chinua Achebe who receives the International Booker Prize this week in recognition of his writing achievements. Achebe is best known for his ground-breaking 1958 novel, Things Fall Apart, which documented the effects of colonialism in Africa. His later work developed these themes, resulting in his most recent book, Home and Exile - a collection of essays which examined the rise of indigenous African literature. Tonight, he joins Isabel Hilton to cast an eye over his extraordinary career.
Chinua Achebe receives the Man Booker International prize at a ceremony on June 28. Home and Exile is published by Canongate.
European Cycling
As preparations begin for the Tour de France, which kicks off in London, Night Waves brings together two cycling aficionados to explore what the sport reveals about different cultures. Matt Seaton and Graeme Fife explore the harsh windswept plains of the Belgian landscape which has produced so many of the world's top cyclists, and they find out why the cloth-cap image of cycling is still so prevalent in Britain.
Cycling and Culture Flandrien: Hard Men and Heroes is at the Host Gallery in London until 31 July 2007.
Peter Blake
The artist Peter Blake is the subject of a retrospective at Tate Liverpool. Poet and Liverpudlian Paul Farley looks back at the work of the master of Pop Art.
Peter Blake: A Retrospective is at Tate Liverpool from 29 June - 23 September 2007.
Paris Je T'Aime
The Night Waves verdict on Paris Je T'Aime, a star-studded ensemble film, featuring eighteen short cinematic love letters to the city. Directors such as Gus Van Sant and the Coen Brothers have contributed, and the films star a plethora of British, American and French actors including Juliette Binoche and Bob Hoskins.
Paris Je T'Aime Paris Je T'Aime is released at cinemas from Friday 29th June.
