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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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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: Meanings of Mountains

The Essay: Meanings of Mountains: Episode 3: Slovenia

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Factual: Science & Nature: Nature & Environment

Meanings of Mountains

Episode 3

Episode 3: Slovenia

Slovenia

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Matej Zatonjsek explains the deep feeling the people of Slovenia have for their mountains.

Slovenian diplomat Matej Zatonjsek reveals how mountains are more than a beautiful backdrop for his people - they are crucial to their sense of self and national identity.

Moving westwards from Japan and China, this week's essays about the relationships different peoples have with their mountains reaches Europe, and Slovenia. Matej Zatonjsek, the Cultural Attache at the Slovenian Embassy in London, explains how his people are a nation of mountaineers, with three-quarters of the population climbing in the Julian Alps every year. Endowing mountains with Slovenian names was an expression of independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and a commitment to the language. The country's national myth is centred on Triglav, the country's highest peak and climbing this for Slovenians is akin to making the pilgrimage to Mecca for muslims, a sacred duty and an assertion of identity.

Producer: Julian May.

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

Series about relationships that different peoples of the world have with their mountains

Series of essays that, following the sun's path from east to west travels from Japan to Peru, reveal the relationships that different peoples have with their mountains

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Episode 3: Slovenia

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