In the Studio: Creating Selfridges’ Christmas windows
One of the many traditions in London at Christmas is to visit the capital’s festive lights. People travel from across the world to enjoy the colourful and eye-catching Christmas window displays along Oxford Street, one of London’s main shopping roads. Andrea Kidd goes behind the glitter and tinsel with the teams at the flagship department store Selfridges, as they prepare to reveal their Christmas windows to the public for the first time. The concept is More the Merrier this year and senior lead of the windows team, Bobbie Tree, along with the production, styling and design teams, work with renowned artists Andrew Logan and Charles Jeffreys, to create vibrant and flamboyant window displays for the millions of people who walk past.
16 Joulu 202426min
The Fifth Floor: Fleeing Chechnya
Why would a young woman flee her family and leave everything behind? BBC Russian's Zlata Onufrieva has been following the journeys of three women who've decided to run away from their homes in the Russian republic of Chechnya. Her documentary, Don't look for me, is part of the BBC 100 Women series. To find out more about the other inspiring and influential women on this year's list go to bbc.co.uk/100women. You can also follow BBC 100 Women on Facebook and Instagram. Plus, a social and cultural history of South Asian cornershops, with Ahsan Yunus from BBC Urdu. Produced by Alice Gioia, Caroline Ferguson and Hannah Dean. (Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)
14 Joulu 202426min
BBC OS Conversations: Syrians after the fall of Assad
Syrians have finally got their voices back. After 50 years of living under the cruelty of their President, Bashar al-Assad, they can now speak freely without fear, although some are still cautious. We talk to Syrians across the country, including Ibraheem from Aleppo. He tells host Mark Lowen: “I couldn’t ever think of this moment… this is years and years of fear and hate that has ended. Mark also speaks to three women, relieved to see the end of Assad but uncertain about what the future holds for their country. And we bring together Syrians in Germany, Italy and Turkey to discuss their reaction to the downfall of Assad and ask whether they plan to return to their homeland.
14 Joulu 202423min
Heart and Soul: Black Madonnas
Author and broadcaster Chine McDonald has never seen a black representation of the Virgin Mary. Black Madonnas are statues or paintings of the Virgin Mary and the Infant Jesus, where both figures are depicted with dark skin. They can be found both in Catholic and Orthodox countries. There are thought to be at least 450 of them in the world and there are more Vierges Noires documented in France than any other country in the world. Chine visits the Queen of Peace in the convent church of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in Paris, accompanied by expert guide Dr Christena Cleveland. She travels to Orleans to see the Black Madonna statue: Our Lady of Miracles in the Chapel Notre Dame des Miracles. And cultural historian and University of Oxford based author Prof Janina Ramirez explains current thinking about the origins and cultural significance of the Black Madonna.
13 Joulu 202430min
Srebrenica’s forgotten refugees
Thirty years after the war in Bosnia, survivors and their descendants find themselves permanently displaced in their own country. BBC reporter Lauren Tavriger visits the Tuzla region where families fleeing atrocities, including the Srebrenica massacre, have been living for decades in makeshift settlements originally designed as temporary. She talks to families about their experience, discovering why traumatised people are still living in a state of internal exile and reports on controversial efforts by the Bosnian authorities to clear camps and rehouse their inhabitants.
12 Joulu 202426min
Introducing World of Secrets S6: The bad guru
New season on World of Secrets. Miranda’s search for inner peace through yoga leads to allegations of grooming, trafficking and exploitation. “You just get sucked in so gradually... that you don't realise,” says her mother Penny. The Bad Guru is season six of World of Secrets, the global investigations podcast from the BBC. Uncovering stories around the world and telling them, episode by episode, with gripping storytelling. Search for World of Secrets, wherever you get your BBC podcasts. You can also hear previous seasons of World of Secrets, Al Fayed, Predator at Harrods and The Abercrombie Guys.
11 Joulu 20242min
Assignment: Mining the Pacific – future proofing or fool’s gold?
Climate change is intensifying, sea levels are rising and the very existence of low-lying Pacific Islands is under threat. The Cook Islands, though, has a plan to assure their peoples’ future. Enter deep sea mining, harvesting metallic nodules on the bottom of the sea floor for use in things like electric car batteries and mobile phones. Its supporters say it’s a climate change ‘solution’- a better alternative to mining on land. And one that could make Cook Islanders very rich indeed. Its detractors worry we’re messing with its Moana - or ocean – with no real idea of the impacts. Katy Watson travels to Rarotonga to find out how islanders feel about searching for ‘gold’ on the sea floor.
10 Joulu 202426min
Bonus: The Food Chain is 10!
A bonus episode from The Food Chain - as they turn 10!We are celebrating 10 years of The Food Chain with some of our favourite programme moments from the past decade.Fishing to stay alive, chopping onions in remembrance, and tasting people’s names – these stories and more tell us something about our relationship with food and how it helps us connect with one another.If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: thefoodchain@bbc.co.ukPresenter: Ruth AlexanderThe Food Chain examines the business, science and cultural significance of food, and what it takes to put food on your plate. For more go to bbcworldservice.com/thefoodchain or search for The Food Chain wherever you got this podcast.
9 Joulu 202429min
