Welcome to our weekly guide to Radio Netherlands Worldwide's English Service - a list of the new programmes coming up on Radio Netherlands Worldwide this coming week, beginning on Saturday.
We hope you will enjoy our radio programmes, whether you listen to them online,via satellite, your local station, or shortwave. Stay tuned!
So this coming week on:
*** The State We're In ***
A Christmas special
A Bosnian Christmas Carol: Jonathan recalls the time he went to his wife's hometown in Bosnia for a brandy-soaked and exhausting - but ultimately poignant - Orthodox Christmas ritual. The visit is even more cherished now as one of the family members he recorded passed away recently.
Black Peter: In Holland, Santa's helpers are called Zwarte Pieten, or Black Peter. They're white people in black face, wearing black, curly haired wigs. RNW's Davion Ford is African-American and even though he loves both Christmas and living in the Netherlands, he can't help but look on the tradition with a mix of outrage and humour.
Dixie mix: Daniel Gonzales is a lapsed Catholic from El Salvador. His wife, Lisa Greenman is an observant Jew from Illinois. They've relocated to a small town in Alabama whose population is overwhelmingly Bible Belt Christian. It's been a huge adjustment - on all sides, but it's working out fine.
*** Earth Beat ***
Marnie Chesterton and her team look at the footprint we're leaving on our planet
Our producers pick their favourite pieces from 2010. From living a silent life and dissecting a burger, to making one's own toaster and a husband and wife having it out over eco-differences, we revisit what we liked best about Earth Beat.
*** Africa in Progress ***
The young brain behind African Union
Peter Wangulu was a first year university student when he heard one African president calling on the youth to take up the spirit of pan Africanism. He wrote a letter with seven objectives for forming one body of Africa states. His letter was positively received, and 32 African leaders gathered to form the OAU, now the African Union. Decades later, an OAU flag still adorns his house in Uganda. In this interview, he explains what inspired him and how he looks at Africa today.
*** Network Europe Week ***
A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters
A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh
perspective on events and life in Europe.
This week:
* A feast of festive figures - why Slovenians believe three Father Christmases are better than one.
* White witch - Italy's La Befana celebrations leave blokes out in the cold.
* The ghost of Christmas past - Ukrainians get all nostalgic for old traditions.
* Pass the eyeball - the Norwegian holiday feast with a difference.
*** Network Europe Extra ***
Arts and Culture brought to you each Sunday from Europe's widest partnership
of international broadcasters.
Our best stories from 2010
* Demolition derby - the race to save Moscow's architectural gems.
* Young gypsy guitarists keep the spirit of Django Reinhardt alive 50 years after his death.
* Penguin pride: gay cartoon penguins Gus and Waldo have their flippers on the pulse.
Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1530 South Asia 11835, 15745
***European Jazz Stage/World Music***
The performances of Monajat Yultchieva from Uzbekistan and Savina Yannatou from Greece, two singers with a unique sound, are characterised by their incredible intensity and expression.
The diva of classical Uzbek singing, Monajat Yultchieva beautifully decorates her compelling, story-telling songs about love for the divine. A rare voice with a huge range which sounds like a dove gliding on a spring breeze.
The voice of Savina Yannatou from Greece is just as fascinating. Her repertoire of classical and folk music includes medieval and baroque music as well as modern improvised songs permeated with folk, jazz and Arabian influences. Savina Yannatou performs songs from the Mediterranean culture, from the regions around the Mediterranean Sea. She sings her songs with great passion and conviction, accompanied by her ensemble Primavera en Salonico. An enchantingly beautiful voice which touches you right in the heart.
*** Live! at the Concertgebouw ***
Monday:
Music by Messiaen, Dvorak, Roussel and Honegger performed by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra conducted by Theo Wolters. Soloists are J.Y Thibaudet (piano) and Cynthia Millar (ondes martinot). Your hosts are Hans Haffmans and Bart Visman.
Tuesday:
The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra is conducted by Jan Willem de Vriend, in a programme filled with 18th-century works. Alongside Handel's Music for the Royal Fireworks, there is a Mozart piano concerto, followed by Haydn's Cello Concerto. Your host, as usual, is Hans Haffmans.
*** Bridges with Africa***
Lively discussion and thought-provoking reports about and from the African
continent
*** Commonwealth Story ***
'Thembi's Bicycle' - by Rachel Tucker from South Africa.
A grandmother's rambling dreams.
(Hilary Staples/Radio Netherlands)
Radio Netherlands - B10 English schedule
Effective to: 27 March 2011
broadcast daily unless otherwise indicated
target areas: af (Africa) am (Americas) as (Asia) va (various areas)
All times UTC
English
1000-1057 9720as 12065as
1400-1500 12080as 15595va
1500-1557 15595as
1800-1857 6020af 11655af
1900-1957 7425af 9895af 11615af 11655af
2000-2057 5935af 7425af 11655af
(R Netherlands/Leo van der Wounde)