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BBC Radio 3 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Third Programme.

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The Essay Podcast

The Essay

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Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

Leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond, themed across a week - insight, opinion and intellectual surprise.

The Essay: Germany Dreaming

The Essay: Germany Dreaming: Episode 5: A Return to Cologne

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Factual: Travel

Germany Dreaming

Episode 5

Episode 5: A Return to Cologne

A Return to Cologne

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Author and critic Michael Bracewell explores all things German, and returns to Cologne.

Author and critic Michael Bracewell explores all things German, which means travel and much speculation. Here, he returns, wiser, to Cologne.

After a bizarre dream, author and critic Michael Bracewell is prompted to explore all things German, which means travel and much speculation: And finally, a return to Cologne.

"With the greatest respect to Dr Freud, I have never put much store by the interpretation of dreams. But one night seven years ago I had a dream which actually changed my life. As I slid towards sleep, it seemed as though a corner of the room was beginning to glow..."

The author and critic Michael Bracewell dreams about a visitation by the legendary musician Brian Eno, who informs him that 'Germany is your America', and that he should get out there and explore the place. So after much speculation about things German, after visits to Cologne, Munich and Berlin, and after immersing himself in the music and art of the country (especially electronic music and post modern art) the author is ready to pronounce on his romantic and prejudicial responses to the country. There is also its food to consider. And its youthful fashions. 

What does he dig up? Lots! And in a final essay, he returns, wiser, to Cologne. Which you can hear about in his specially commissioned five part series for The Essay.

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After a bizarre dream, author and critic Michael Bracewell explores all things German

Series in which author and critic Michael Bracewell explores Germany after a dream in which he has a visitation from Brian Eno

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