麻豆约拍

Richard Holloway returns as presenter and is joined in the first hour of the programme by one of the world's most prolific and loved authors, Alexander McCall Smith. Most of us will know him for his No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series set in Botswana and his 44 Scotland Street series set in Edinburgh, but he's also written librettos for opera. Richard finds out more about Alexander McCall-Smith's life and favourite pieces of music.

We may be familiar with the story of Noah's Ark, but a new book on the subject takes another look at this ancient myth and reaches some interesting conclusions. Richard talks to author Irving Finkel about what he's discovered.

Our reporter Carol Purcell talks to Holocaust survivor Zdenka Fantlova in this second part of an interview with Zdenka. The German invasion of her native Czechoslovakia has happened, and she and other members of the Jewish community are sent to the German camp Terezin. She wants more than anything to stay with her boyfriend Arno who is with her in the camp. But then the transportations begin. A tale of endurance against the odds.

This week marks the start of the Winter Olympic Games in Russia. But it has already been overshadowed by criticism and concern over gay rights, human rights and corruption. What approach should we take towards countries whose moral and political standards are very different to our own? Engage or disengage? Richard will be chewing over these dilemmas with Professor Trevor Salmon, Emeritus Professor of International Relations at Aberdeen University, and Alison Phipps, Professor of Languages and Intercultural Studies, at the University of Glasgow.

All this and the usual wonderful mix of music, don't miss it.