The Islamic Golden Age

Al-Biruni

Professor James Montgomery discusses the Islamic scholar Al-Biruni.

• 15 mins

The Islamic Golden Age

Al Hakim

Dr Simonetta Calderini discusses Al Hakim, the controversial Egyptian imam-caliph.

• 15 mins

The Islamic Golden Age

Al-Ghazali

Professor Mona Siddiqui discusses religious thinker and mystic Al-Ghazali.

• 15 mins

The Islamic Golden Age

Ibn Rushd

Professor Charles Burnett considers the philosopher Ibn Rushd.

• 15 mins

The Islamic Golden Age

Cities of Learning

Dr Amira Bennison considers the intellectual powerhouses of Baghdad and Cairo.

• 15 mins

The Islamic Golden Age

Salah al-Din

Historian Jonathan Phillips reassesses the influence of 12th-century hero Saladin.

• 15 mins

The Islamic Golden Age

Episode 19

Narguess Farzad celebrates the much loved 13th-century Persian poet Al-Rumi.

• 15 mins

The Islamic Golden Age

Lubna of Cordoba

Kamila Shamsie discusses Lubna of Cordoba, a female intellectual from the 10th century.

• 15 mins

Commonwealth Questions

Dr Sue Onslow

Exploring the Commonwealth's history. Has it made a difference and does it have a future?

• 15 mins

Commonwealth Questions

Fakir Aijazuddin

Historian Fakir Aijazuddin on Pakistan's chequered relationship with the Commonwealth.

• 15 mins

Commonwealth Questions

Noah Richler

Author Noah Richler asks if Canada still needs ties like the Commonwealth.

• 15 mins

Commonwealth Questions

Farah Ghuznavi

Writer Farah Ghuznavi explains why she no longer sees the Commonwealth as an irrelevance.

• 15 mins

Commonwealth Questions

Tolu Ogunlesi

Poet and author Tolu Ogunlesi asks if young people in Lagos can relate to the Commonwealth

• 15 mins

Secret Admirers

Sarah Walker on John White

Sarah Walker celebrates English experimentalist composer John White.

• 15 mins

Secret Admirers

Tom Service on Arnold Bax

Radio 3 presenter Tom Service celebrates the music of Scots-inspired composer Arnold Bax.

• 15 mins

Secret Admirers

Lucie Skeaping on Thomas Ravenscroft

Radio 3 presenter Lucie Skeaping celebrates Shakespeare's contemporary Thomas Ravenscroft.

• 15 mins

Secret Admirers

Martin Handley on Malcolm Arnold

Radio 3 presenter Martin Handley celebrates English composer Malcolm Arnold.

• 15 mins

Secret Admirers

Sara Mohr-Pietsch on Hildegard of Bingen

Radio 3 presenter Sara Mohr-Pietsch celebrates 12th-century composer Hildegard of Bingen.

• 15 mins

Springwalks

Michele Roberts in Poznan

Michele Roberts walks through Poznan and is reminded of Persephone, goddess of spring.

• 15 mins

Springwalks

Ross Raisin in the Yorkshire Wolds

Ross Raisin observes the onset of spring in the Yorkshire wolds.

• 15 mins

Springwalks

John Walsh

John Walsh recalls his observations on an early spring walk near a village called Steep.

• 15 mins

Springwalks

Kirsty Gunn in Sutherland

Kirsty Gunn describes the start of spring on a walk in Sutherland.

• 15 mins

Springwalks

Philip Hoare in Sholing

Philip Hoare describes seeing many animals while walking at the water's edge in Sholing.

• 15 mins

Furniture - A Personal History of Movable Objects

'Whereyouwanttogoto' - The Wardrobe and the Other World

Novelist Ian Sansom explores the history and symbolism attached to wardrobes.

• 15 mins

Furniture - A Personal History of Movable Objects

Who's Been Sitting in My Chair? Our Shadow Selves

Ian Sansom examines our complex physical, mental and emotional relationship with the chair

• 15 mins

Furniture - A Personal History of Movable Objects

Je suis un table

Ian Sansom explores the literary, philosophical and cultural history of the table.

• 15 mins

Furniture - A Personal History of Movable Objects

Old Mother Hubbard and the Cabinet of Curiosity: The Story of Storage

Novelist Ian Sansom explores what cupboards and cabinets reveal about human nature.

• 15 mins

Furniture - A Personal History of Movable Objects

An Intimate History of the Bed

Novelist Ian Sansom considers the symbolism of beds in literature, art and film.

• 15 mins

Portraits of Capa

Janine di Giovanni

War correspondent Janine di Giovanni reflects on the life of photographer Robert Capa.

• 15 mins

Portraits of Capa

John D McHugh

John D McHugh reflects on the role of empathy and friendship in Robert Capa's work.

• 15 mins