大象传媒

From a behind-the-scenes look at the Sistine Chapel Choir as they prepare for Christmas Mass, to a town in northern Finland tackling climate change; from international stand-up comedy to an insider’s view of the design process of the new Aston Martin, this festive season the World Service presents a feast of specially commissioned programmes.

Mary Hockaday, Controller of World Service English, says: "This holiday season on the World Service there are wonderful programmes and compelling stories told by a rich range of voices from around the world. There is something for everyone to enjoy, some musical treats too, and we look forward to sharing these programmes with our audiences."

Asian Network

Heart and Soul: Joy To The World

20 December, (time TBC)

The sounds of Christmas will come from Manchester, England, as Heart And Soul hears the choirs that represent the rich diversity of this city as they share the songs which say 'Christmas' to them.

We will start in the heart of Manchester’s Caribbean community with the multicultural Inspirational Voices Choir, and hear how their faith is empowered by the inspirational songs they sing.

W.A.S.T, a choir of women asylum seekers, tell us about the Christmas they have left behind and what it means to them to come together.

Finally it heads into the city centre to meet the Gay and Lesbian Chorus as they perform at the tuning on of the lights in Manchester’s world famous Canal Street.

• Producer: Nicola Swords
• A 大象传媒 World Service production

Shaun Keaveny

In The Studio: Designing The New Aston Martin

20 December, (time TBC)

The makers of James Bond's car are entering new territory. Aston Martin, the British manufacturer usually associated with 007's sports car, are launching their first family motor - an SUV.

In The Studio has gained exclusive access to the design and manufacturing process. We join Head of Design Marek Reichman in his studio, follow the car through rigorous testing, and finally see it launched to the public.

• Presenter: Andy Jaye
• Producer: Francesca Bent
• A TBI Media Production for 大象传媒 World Service

EM3

The Weekend Documentary: Living With Star Wars

22 December, (time TBC)

This is the true story of how Star Wars became a pop culture phenomenon, through the memories of those who made it.

As Episode IX arrives in our cinemas, wrapping up the destinies of the original trilogy characters and much more, we travel back a long, long time ago to the often agonising, challenging and groundbreaking creation of the first film. In cinemas at Christmas 1977 a great triangular ship roars overhead and fills cinema screens. People duck involuntarily.

Sat in London’s West End Dominion, Mark Burman was just one of millions that year thrilling to the astonishing spectacle of what was, back then, just Star Wars. Now Episode IV - A New Hope is the touchstone of an entire multi-billion dollar franchise, theme park, and all-encompassing cultural event quoted by Presidents, tagged on to billion dollar defence systems, played with by children and sunk so deep into our collective psyches that it is its own kind of force. You can even practice and worship as a Jedi Knight.

Mark Burman draws on his own interviews, gathered over the past 20 years, from many key personnel including director George Lucas, producer Gary Kurtz, star Mark Hamill, composer John Williams, artist Ralph McQuarrie, special effects guru John Dykstra - and even the original Jabba the Hutt!

• Presenter: Mark Burman
• A 大象传媒 World Service Production

EM3

Cillian Murphy

In The Studio: Singing For The Pope

31 December, (time TBC)

In this special festive edition of In The Studio, Glyn Tansley goes behind the façade of the Vatican to meet the members of the oldest choir in the world as they prepare for the biggest night on their calendar.

The Sistine Chapel Choir has a history dating back 1,500 years, but it’s still one of the most active cultural institutions at the very heart of the Vatican.

It also has the prestige of being the Pope’s personal choir, performing for him whenever he’s in St Peter’s Basilica. As the Holy Father’s personal choir it is called upon to play an ecumenical role, contributing to bringing together in art what has been separated by history and politics.

In their rehearsal room, we meet the men and boys who make up the choir as they prepare for Christmas Mass, an event watched around the world by millions of worshippers. We’ll come to understand why being in this choir so important to them, and the pressures of always being on display through the Vatican’s global TV and radio services.

This is a rare glimpse into the real lives at the heart of an ancient tradition.

• Producers: Glyn Tansley and Lyndon Jones
• A 大象传媒 World Service Production

EM3

Radio 3 In Concert - Playing in the Dark: Neil Gaiman and the 大象传媒 Symphony Orchestra

The Documentary: The Greenest Town In Europe?

24 December (Time TBC)

2019 has seen a green 'awakening', with climate action being promoted by children across the globe.

The town of Ii in northern Finland is a green trailblazer. It has managed to stop burning fossil fuels and will have reduced carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2020 - that’s 30 years ahead of the EU target. It is also aiming to be the world’s first zero-waste town. It’s happening because of the collective effort of the community.

With the help of a young climate champion, Erika hears their stories and meets the people making pancakes from leftover food for a Christmas party; the children checking if all the lights have been switched off at school at the end of the day, and the fisherman drilling a hole through the ice on a lake to catch fish for a Christmas present. The inhabitants of Ii hope that they can show the world what individuals can do to make a difference to climate change.

• A 大象传媒 World Service Production

Martin Freeman

The Arts Hour Holiday Comedy

28 December (Time TBC)

In a special programme, The Arts Hour celebrates the New Year with a showcase of the brightest and funniest comedians from around the world. Malawian stand-up Daliso Chaponda hosts the international line-up, which includes Janine Harouni, Eshaan Akbar, Masud Milas and Brodi Snook.* The array of comedy talent will be tackling global issues and asking what’s next for the world in 2020.

• Producer: Olivia Skinner
• A 大象传媒 World Service Production

*The Arts Hour Holiday Comedy was updated on 13 December 2019 to reflect changes to the programme's line-up.

Correspondents Look Ahead

27 December (Time TBC)

Lyse Doucet and a panel of top 大象传媒 journalists peer into a crystal ball as they try to forecast the key trends, events and personalities of 2020. With a US presidential election, growing demands for action on climate change and fears over the global economy, they will have plenty to discuss - and plenty of predictions to make.

• A 大象传媒 World Service Production

Headliners - The Comedians

New Year’s Concert

Saturday 4 January 2020 (Time TBC)

Georgia Mann hosts a special programme featuring three 大象传媒 New Generation Artists, some of the world’s finest young musicians at the start of their international careers.

Recorded at Royal Opera House London, the New Year concert features live performance from 大象传媒 New Generation Artists, some of the world’s finest young musicians at the start of their international careers. Charismatic German trumpeter Simon Hofele, critically acclaimed Kyrgyzstan born soprano Katharina Konradi and multi-talented jazz guitarist, and composer and arranger Rob Luft and his band are the acts in an exuberant and joyful start to the year.

• Producer: Emma Bloxham
• A 大象传媒 World Service Production