Culture gets festive

In today’s show our book critic Augustin Trapenard reveals his top Christmas reads to get you in a festive mood. Also on the programme, Rasha Arodaky plays behind bars in a French prison to bring classical music to the inmates, and singing cats and dogs - it has to be seen to be believed!

CULTURE

Eve Jackson

Presenter

Slideshow: Behind the scenes

13/05/2013 - CULTURE

Vanessa Paradis' new song with former partner Johnny Depp

American writer Holly Goddard Jones has impressed critics with her book of short stories "Girl Trouble", and her debut novel "The Next Time You See Me". She writes about what she knows: Kentucky and small town mentalities. Clovis Casali also talks to Vanessa Paradis about her new album "Love songs", which includes a track composed with her former partner Johnny Depp and daughter Lily Rose.

10/05/2013 - CULTURE

Stockholm’s New Abba Museum

In today’s show: get your satin and sequins at the ready as Stockholm's new Abba museum opens its doors. Plus, French animators take the world by storm with "The Jungle Bunch", and a sneak peek at Leonardo DiCaprio in The Great Gatsby.

09/05/2013 - CULTURE

Murray Head's Dust in the Wind

You probably know him best for his hits "Superstar" from Jesus Christ Superstar, "One Night in Bangkok" from Chess and his song 'Say It Ain't So,’. Eve Jackson meets Murray Head to talk about his new album and his love of France. Also on the programme, popular French band Indochine stirs controversy for its unbridled depiction of violence at school in a music video, and we check out the only music and art festival of its kind in Afghanistan.

08/05/2013 - CULTURE

Gilberto Gil's musical journey in 'Viramundo'

Today we meet the Brazilian musician who’s gone from political exile in the 1960s to his country’s Culture Minister in the 2000s. Gilberto Gil’s music transports the listener to the beaches of Rio and the carnival of Salvador. Now he’s taking us on a cultural journey in a new documentary, "Viramundo". The movie takes us from Brazil to Australia, South Africa and back to Brazil.

07/05/2013 - CULTURE

Saudi Arabia's Soldier Artist

Today's guest is not just a conceptual artist: Abdulnasser Gharem is also a soldier in Saudi Arabia's army. Described as the "rock star of Saudi contemporary art", Eve Jackson speaks to him about his homeland, being the highest selling living Gulf artist and the situation in the Middle East. Also on the show, we check out the Normandy impressionist festival as well as Ancient Egypt’s anonymous scribes.