The Shadow of Algiers

Original version

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The Shadow of Algiers: The Great Seduction

The Great Seduction

BBC Radio 4 - The Shadow of Algiers, The Great Seduction

Stories from France’s troubled history with Algeria and why they still matter today.

How a wine bug that devastated France may have led to the Algerian War of Independence.

Sixty years after the Algerian War of Independence - and as France prepares to elect a new President - Edward Stourton presents stories from a colonial past which still cast their shadow over the present.   It's a very different colonial story from our own - even more brutal, more complex and more secret. 

In the first of five programmes, Edward tells the surprising story of how an ugly bug - a tiny insect called phylloxera - created the climate for the Algerian War.  The insect all but wiped out the French wine industry and caused huge numbers of French people to move to Algeria.  

The French were initially seduced by the sun, sea and light of Algeria, exoticism captured in Albert Camus' famous novel, 'The Outsider'.   

But the love affair quickly turned sour....    



Sound design: Peregrine Andrews
Producers: Adele Armstrong and Ellie House
Editor: Richard Vadon 
Production Coordinator: Gemma Ashman



MUSIC  
"Nostra Algeria", from "Freedom Fighters of Algeria"   
"Killing an Arab", The Cure
"Gnossienne No 1", Erik Satie

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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Factual: History

Stories from France's troubled history with Algeria and why they still matter today.

Edward Stourton presents stories from France's troubled history with Algeria - a colonial past which still casts its shadow over the present.

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