Albanian writer Ismail Kadare
Wednesday 4 June 2008 21:45-22:30 (Radio 3)
Philip Dodd presents the arts and ideas programme, talking to Albanian writer Ismail Kadare, who won the inaugural Man Booker International Prize in 2005. He also discusses how celebrity can change the world with Julie Christie.
Julie Christie
Julie Christie in sci-fi series A for Andromeda
Playlist
Ismail Kadare
The International Man Booker prize-winner and his translator David Bellos talk to Philip Dodd about Kadare's novel The Siege, written in 1969 and now republished in English, and reflect on why Balkan history is dominated by a desire to connect with Europe.
The Siege is published by Canongate Books and is out now in hardback.
Julie Christie
Julie Christie talks to Philip about the nature of celebrity and how it has changed over the years. She also discusses how she is using her celebrity in a star filled show for the Human Rights Watch.
Cries From the Heart: Tyranny is on at the Theatre Royal Haymark, London on 8 June.
Is Gordon Brown a tragic hero?
Tony Blair's former speech writer has just written that Gordon Brown is presiding over a Labour tragedy. We'll be discussing whether Brown indeed resembles a tragic hero, and if so, which kind of tragedy we are witnessing.
Chequers
Chequers, the official country residence of Prime Ministers since 1921, as well as being a retreat and a useful meeting place, is also home to an important collection of paintings, furniture and decorative arts, mostly unseen in public for almost a century. Now a select group of the portraits are going on display. Hugo Swire, Chair of the House of Commons Advisory Committee on Works of Art, will be discussing what's on view.
Portraits from Chequers: Kings, Queens and Revolutionaries is on at Compton Verney, Warwickshire from 7 June.
Like a Moth to a Flame.
To mark National Moth Night, naturalist Bridget Nicholls reflects on the secret life of moths and their influence on culture - from their legendary attraction to candlelight to the adventures of Amy Johnson's Gipsy Moth plane. National Moth Night is on 7th June. More info at: http://www.nationalmothnight.info/
