logo
episode-header-image
May 2022
42m 18s

Eurovision; BookTok and young adult publ...

Bbc Radio 4
About this episode

Eurovision decided to ban Russian participation this year on the grounds that it might bring the contest into disrepute, following the invasion of Ukraine. Dean Vuletic, author of Postwar Europe and The Eurovision Song Contest, spoke to Tom Sutcliffe, ahead of tonight's first semi-final in Turin.

The hashtag #BookTok has been viewed on TikTok 52.6 billion times and the platform's viral videos made by booklovers have reshaped the young adult bestseller lists. Joining Tom to discuss the social media trends and how they’re influencing the mainstream industry are the co-founder of @CultofBooks Kouthar Hagi AKA Coco and Dan Conway, incoming CEO of the Publishers Association.

Last month the distinguished art critic Waldemar Januszczak visited Ukraine to see what was happening to the country’s art collections, as the war continues. He joins Front Row to discuss his new documentary, My Ukrainian Journey.

Presenter: Tom Sutcliffe Producer: Sarah Johnson

Photo: Kalush Orchestra, Ukraine's entrant for the Eurovision Song Contest 2022

Up next
Yesterday
Howard Jacobson's new book, Howl
Booker Prize-winning author Howard Jacobson discusses his new novel, Howl.Musician Thea Gilmore talks about her latest project The Echo Line, where she creates music from anonymous messages. Thea also performs the song Silvie live, which is the second track from the project.A boo ... Show More
42m 29s
Mar 9
Cillian Murphy, Timothee Chalamet's opera comments, Deepa Anappara, and are non-fiction books dead?
Cillian Murphy talks to Samira Ahmed about the return of Tommy in new film Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man. Timothee Chalamet's disparaging comments on opera and ballet have caused a stir. Matthew Hemley, editor of the stage, responds to what the Oscar nominee actually said.As L ... Show More
42m 25s
Mar 5
Review: The Bride! Maggie Gyllenhaal's film about the bride of Frankenstein
Writer Rebecca Stott and Telegraph film critic Robbie Collin join Tom to discuss The Bride! Maggie Gyllenhaal's film about the bride of Frankenstein, starring Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale.They also talk about the novel Bad Fiction by Rebecca Sarah Ley which is based around a ... Show More
42m 35s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2023
Ukraine one year on: The artists’ response
To mark the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Tina Daheley talks to documentary film directors Alisa Kovalenko and Yelizaveta Smith about their experiences over the past year and how that has shaped their work. Alisa’s feature We Will Not Fade Away tells the stor ... Show More
28m 16s
Mar 2022
Understanding Ukraine’s identity. Plus, the Oscars
This weekend, we speak with Ukrainian journalist Olga Tokariuk, who is currently in western Ukraine. Olga reflects on how Ukrainians forged the resolve they are showing now in the fight against Russia. She shares how Ukraine’s identity has shifted and strengthened over the past 3 ... Show More
34m 25s
May 2024
United by music: Lessons from Eurovision 2023
<p>In today’s episode, we’re reflecting on the extraordinary moment of collaboration between Liverpool and Ukraine when they hosted Eurovision in 2023. What does this experience teach us about the power of being united through arts and culture? And what is the value – to communit ... Show More
38m 8s
May 2023
Eurovision special with Sam Ryder, Mr. Lordi, Teya and Poli Genova
Sam Ryder, Mr. Lordi, Teya and Poli Genova discuss writing for Eurovision, how it impacts their creative process, and how they handle nerves on stage.Sam Ryder was inspired to get into music after seeing Sum 41 in concert when he was 11. He took up the guitar after seeing Lordi w ... Show More
28m 41s
Feb 2023
Ukraine one year on, with filmmaker Nadia Parfan
This week marks a year since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In this episode, Lilah speaks with Ukrainian director Nadia Parfan, whose documentary short 'I did not want to make a war film' is a first-person essay about how life has changed. Nadia was in Egypt when the wa ... Show More
19m 30s
Feb 2023
14. 12 Months On: President Putin’s Next Steps?
Ukrainecast comes together with Putin, the BBC Sounds and Radio 4 podcast which examines the life, times, motives and modus operandi of Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. Returning to the show are three lifelong Kremlin-watchers to cast ahead and speculate on just how this war might d ... Show More
29m 20s
May 2023
Eurovision 2023: A very political song contest
<p>The UK is holding this year’s Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine which won last year but can’t fulfil its hosting duties because of the war. So what can we expect? What role is Eurovision playing in the war effort? And why have cyber security experts been drafted in? ... Show More
27m 59s
May 2021
Eurovision! With Conchita Wurst, Duncan Laurence, Daði Freyr and Emmelie de Forest
Emmelie de Forest, Conchita Wurst, Duncan Laurence and Daði Freyr share their experiences of the Eurovision Song Contest, including what makes a winning Eurovision entry, how taking part in the Contest has influenced their music outside of Eurovision, and the personal stories the ... Show More
35m 6s