The Hagia Sophia has featured in thousands of books and treatises throughout the centuries, many of which have praised the awe-inspiring spaces of this architectural feat. Yet recently, the building has made headlines for very different reasons, as politics and heritage become entangled. In this week’s podcast, Professor Bissera Pentcheva helps us to navigate the complex story of the Hagia Sophia, and brings to the fore the beauty and magnificence of a building that, through the use of sound and light, was meant to replicate Heaven on Earth.

This episode was recorded prior to the effective conversion of the building into a mosque on 17 July 2020.

The podcast features music from the interdisciplinary project Icons of Sound (2008–present), codirected by Bissera Pentcheva (Department of Art and Art History) and Jonathan Abel (Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics [CCRMA]) at Stanford University and performed by Capella Romana. We are very grateful for their collaboration.

This podcast is part of Asia House Arts in Isolation Series and Converging Paths, an initiative organised in partnership with the Barakat Trust that promotes the arts and cultures of the Islamic World.

The Moon has been a revered orb for civilizations from all over the world. It provides gentle light during the night, sets the calendars and regualtes the tidal force. Ulrike Al-Khamis explores our fascination with this mystical celestial body and looks at the role it has played in faith, science, and the arts across the Muslim world and beyond. 

This podcast is part of Asia House Arts in Isolation Series and Converging Paths, an initiative organised in partnership with the Barakat Trust that promotes the arts and cultures of the Islamic World.

eL Seed works in the public sphere, for the people and most of the time, with the people. During this interview eL Seed sheds light into his career, his projects democratising art and on his roots, to reveal the ingredients that form his unique sense of perspective and community cohesion.

This podcast is part of Asia House Arts in Isolation Series and Converging Paths, an initiative organised in partnership with the Barakat Trust that promotes the arts and cultures of the Islamic World.

Dr Sussan Babaie offers an illuminating conversation about how we, as a society, deal with misconceptions and stereotypes regarding our past and own cultures. She uses the example of Iran to reflect on these and other issues such as identity, education and rethinking cultural boundaries.

 This podcast is part of Asia House Arts in Isolation Series and Converging Paths, an initiative organised in partnership with the Barakat Trust that promotes the arts and cultures of the Islamic World.

Nixi Cura gives us a comprehensible historical insight on how has China dealt with the different ethnicities and minorities that form the modern-day country, and reflects on why trade is important to build up tolerance and harmonious coexistence.

This podcast is part of Asia House Arts in Isolation Series and Converging Paths, an initiative organised in partnership with the Barakat Trust that promotes the arts and cultures of the Islamic World.

The Kaaba is the sanctuary at the heart of Mecca, where over one million pilgrims from around the world gather every year, and towards which the world's 1.8 billion Muslims pray.  Join Dr Simon O'Meara for a fascinating conversation about the Kaaba and how Muslims have written about it over the centuries.  

This podcast is part of Asia House Arts in Isolation Series and Converging Paths, an initiative organised in partnership with the Barakat Trust that promotes the arts and cultures of the Islamic World.

Professor Tarek Swelim shares with us a remarkable time in history full of political conflict, intrigue and of course, beauty: Mamluk Egypt. Follow us on this inspiring journey to discover the savage outcome of this dynasty.

This podcast is part of Asia House Arts in Isolation Series and Converging Paths, an initiative organised in partnership with the Barakat Trust that promotes the arts and cultures of the Islamic World.

Join BAFTA-nominated artist, Alia Alzougbi, in this inspiring and thought-provoking tale about individuality, self-overcoming and our role within a community. Alia’s practice is based on storytelling techniques and traditions and, as well as performing, she curates and produces cultural events. Alia is renowned storyteller, educator and cultural producer. She is Head of Global Learning London and is currently undergoing the Clore Fellowship Programme, which seeks to develop the next generation of leaders in the cultural industries.

This podcast is part of Asia House Arts in Isolation Series and Converging Paths, an initiative organised in partnership with the Barakat Trust that promotes the arts and cultures of the Islamic World.

Navina Haidar, Curator in Charge of the Department of Islamic Art at the Metropolitan Museum of New York, takes us on an inspiring journey to South India and the sultanates of the Deccan. This was a land of great natural wealth that produced striking art and a culture of tolerance—a land where at least one sultan saw himself as both the ‘son of Ganesh' and a follower of Muhammad. 

This podcast is part of Asia House Arts in Isolation Series and Converging Paths, an initiative organised in partnership with the Barakat Trust that promotes the arts and cultures of the Islamic World.

Gallerist, economist and author Michael Backman reveals the importance and key role of the Malay world in the history of economy, business and trade; and discusses how the fluidity of the Malay world and its interaction with the rest of the world has impacted on its art.

This podcast is part of Asia House Arts in Isolation Series and Converging Paths, an initiative organised in partnership with the Barakat Trust that promotes the arts and cultures of the Islamic World.