A Song for Valentina

Available for over a year

Kate Adie presents stories from Russia, Mayotte, Liechtenstein and France. BBC Russia editor Steve Rosenberg is regarded as a 'propagandist' by some Russians, but a song he wrote about a Russian friend seemed to thaw the ice, and unexpectedly struck a chord with fellow Muscovites. France held a day of national mourning this week in tribute to those who died after Cyclone Chido devasted the remote Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte earlier this month. Mayeni Jones describes the challenges of trying to reach the island when she was deployed there, and meets those affected by the storm. Liechtenstein lays claim to being one of the worst football teams in the world. It was recently on a 40-game losing streak, until it recently faced Hong Kong on its home turf. Jacob Panons - a loyal supporter of the Hong Kong team - witnessed the stand-off between the two minnows. Thanks to his Christmas stories, Charles Dickens is often associated with this time of year. But our Paris correspondent, Hugh Schofield, has come to discover more about another passion in the Victorian novelist’s life – his love of France. Series Producer: Serena Tarling Production Coordinators: Katie Morrison & Sophie Hill Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith