Free Thinking

Radio 3 presenter Ian McMillan, poet Kate Clanchy and Judith Palmer of the Poetry Society introduce the winning entries in this year's Proms Poetry Competition. The Poems are read by Carolyn Pickles.

dha Bari and Houda Echouafni on this powerful islamic folk-cycle - Arabian Nights

David Hare, one of Britain's leading playwrights, discusses his new memoir, 'The Blue Touch Paper', with Matthew Sweet. When the National Theatre published its poll of the hundred best plays of the 20th century, David Hare had written five of them. He explains how he became a writer and the high price he and those around him paid for that decision.

Michael Cox explores the history of the London School of Economics with Stephanie Flanders

The American novelist Willa Cather's 'The Song of the Lark' was first published a hundred years ago in 1915. Her biographer Dame Hermione Lee talks to New Generation Thinker Sarah Dillon about Cather's story of a young girl who leaves her home town in Colorado to pursue a career as an opera singer. The reader is Laurel Lefkow.

Recorded in front of an audience at the Royal College of Music.

Ian Christie on the Lumiere brothers' invention of the world's first film camera in 1895.

Why has Denmark played such a significant role in shaping modern ideas about childhood? The Danish-born historian and lecturer Lars Tharp and the writer on children's literature Julia Eccleshare explore the work and legacy of Hans Christian Andersen with Ian McMillan.

The history of the National Trust with Dame Helen Ghosh and Patrick Barkham.

The novelists Helen Dunmore and Louise Welsh discuss DH Lawrence's 'The Rainbow', first published a hundred years ago in 1915, with Rana Mitter. The novel, which was banned on publication, tells the story of the Brangwen family as they face the decline of their pastoral life in the face of industrialisation. Presented by Rana Mitter.

Philip Hoare and Merlin Holland discuss Wilde's tumultuous year. With Shahidha Bari.