The Strand - Monday 27th July 2009.

Available for over a year

The best of the world's arts, film, music, literature and music brought to you every day. Presented by Harriett Gilbert. Mahmoud Darwish Almost a year after the death of the great Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish, his final collection of poems and essays has just been published. The Strand reviews A River Dies of Thirst and asks if this last book is his finest. Calatrava Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava has designed some of the most lyrical structures of our times. He now tells us about the biggest challenge of his career: the design of the Transport Hub at Ground Zero in New York and how he wants it to be a symbol of hope. Coco Before Chanel The fashion critic Hilary Alexander joins Harriet to discuss Coco Before Chanel, a new film starring Audrey Tautou which looks at the early life of the world renowned French fashion designer. Womad Ruth Barnes talks to Malian singier Rokia Traore backstage at this years Womad world music festival. And you can also hear music from Rokia Traore's stunning performance recorded at the festival. All this week on The Strand we will be featuring backstage interviews and music performances from the festival including Guinean kora player Ba Cissoko, Colombian group Cimarron, Chinese musician Mamer, Australian collective Black Arm Band and the German group 17 Hippies. You will also be able to watch exclusive videos of our reporter Ruth Barnes backstage at the festival interviewing the artists and soaking up the atmosphere.