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with Tony Kearney

The symbolism of candles in religion; tackling difficult issues like the Middle East war with children; composer Nigel Osborne on using music for healing in places of conflict.

It’s been 100 years since the first ever Gaelic broadcast in Scotland. Professor Rob Dunbar, Chair of Celtic Languages, Literature, History and Antiquities at Edinburgh University, and Maggie Cunningham, former head of Gaelic language channel Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Alba, look at the evolution of Gaelic broadcasting and the role it plays in keeping the Gaelic language alive.

On the first Sunday of Advent and ahead of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, theologian and international specialist on the major faiths and religious traditions, Martin Palmer, and writer and broadcaster, Anna Magnusson, explore the powerful symbolism of candles and light in various religions.

Xuanlin Tham, curator of Scotland’s Take One Action Film Festival, tells Tony Kearney about this year’s thought provoking offerings on the theme of renewal.

How do we speak to children and young people about difficult issues like the current conflict in the Middle East? Islamic academic and father, Dr Yahya Barry, and Professor Joe Goldblatt, Chair of Edinburgh Interfaith Association, give their approach to tackling complex issues with children.

Another approach to talking about troubling issues with young ones is though music. Executive of Fischy Music, Stephen Fischbacher, and Education Manager at Christian Aid, Catherine Odell, discuss their song writing project in schools exploring themes around climate justice and global citizenship, which aims to send a message to world leaders at COP28.

In our occasional Sacred Space series, Archbishop Leo Cushley of St Andrews and Edinburgh has chosen a particular place at the heart of his Catholic faith, St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral.

And composer, teacher and former Reid Professor of Music at the University of Edinburgh, Nigel Osborne, is using his musical skills in a special way. He helps children who have been traumatised by war to engage and hopefully find a form of healing through music. He joins Tony to talk about his recent work in the children’s shelters in Ukraine.

1 hour, 55 minutes

Last on

Sun 3 Dec 2023 08:00

Music Played

  • Sufjan Stevens

    A Running Start

    • Asthmatic Kitty.
  • Julie Fowlis

    Blackbird

    • My Love Is On The High Seas (Tha Mo Ghaol Air Aird A Chuain).
  • Cliff Richard & Van Morrison

    Whenever God Shines His Light

    • The Very Best Of Van Morrison.
    • Polydor.
    • 1.
  • The Byrds

    Turn! Turn! Turn!

    • Turn! Turn! Turn!.
    • Columbia.
  • Fleet Foxes

    White Winter Hymnal

    • Fleet Foxes.
    • Bella Union.
    • 1.
  • Stevie Wonder

    Blowin' in the Wind

    • Stevie Wonder - The Definitive Collec.
    • Universal.
  • Belle and Sebastian

    I Want the World to Stop

    • Write About Love.
    • Matador.
    • 4.
  • Sophie B. Hawkins

    As I Lay Me Down

    • Sophie B.Hawkins - Whaler.
    • Columbia.

Broadcast

  • Sun 3 Dec 2023 08:00