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

BBC Radio 3

Radio 3

The Essay Podcast

The Essay

Discussion & Talk

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: Unknown Cities

The Essay: Unknown Cities: Episode 4: Asmara

Unknown Cities

Episode 4

Episode 4: Asmara

Asmara

BBC Radio 3 - The Essay, Unknown Cities, AsmaraClose menu

Michela Wrong on the Italianate buildings and futurist constructions in Asmara, Eritrea.

Writer Michela Wrong discusses the beautiful Italianate buildings and futurist constructions in Asmara, capital of Eritrea.

It's over the mountains, it has no major roads, it's too dangerous, or tourists don't get it at all. Five writers with a desire for travel or living elsewhere, recall a city that once captured their hearts and minds for reasons of secrecy or isolation, or simply being off limits.

Travel writer Michela Wrong sees beautiful Italianate buildings, and all things Futurist - in Africa. In Asmara, the capital of Eritrea, to be precise.

Producer Duncan Minshull

First broadcast in April 2013.

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 in which five writers recall a favourite city that is off the beaten track

Series in which writers with a desire for travel or living elsewhere recall a city that once captured their hearts and minds for reasons of secrecy or isolation, or simply being off limits

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Unknown Cities

Episode 4: Asmara

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