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Sunday: State funeral; Radical generosity; Folk songs in church

18/09/2022

State funeral; Radical generosity; Folk songs in church

BBC Radio 4 - Sunday, State funeral; Radical generosity; Folk songs in church

Edward Stourton looks ahead to the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, the biggest ceremonial event held in the UK in recent history.

The State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II will be the biggest ceremonial event held in the UK in recent times. It will be the first state funeral since that of Winston Churchill in 1965.  It will be attended by political leaders, royals and heads of state from across the world.  We consider the history of state and royal funerals, and the extent to which they have adapted to reflect the country’s changing religious and cultural  landscape. 

There has been a call for a spirit of "radical generosity" from the British people, to help reduce the number of deaths caused by the cost of living crisis.  Is it enough to rely on the government to limit the effects of inflation, or do we all have a personal moral obligation to take action in supporting others who are struggling?  In Islam, Zakat is a religious obligation for all Muslims who meet the necessary criteria to donate a certain portion of their wealth to charitable causes.  We hear about the work of a foodbank run by Muslim volunteers and speak to the National Zakat Foundation about their work in supporting people in need.

This year is the 150th anniversary of the birth of the great composer, Ralph Vaughan Williams.   He was an enthusiastic collector of traditional English folk tunes, many of which found their way into his works.  But he also turned some of them into well known hymns.  Over the next few months, a group of musicians will be touring cathedrals in England and Wales with a celebration of the folk tunes he loved so much.  It's called From Pub to Pulpit, and will demonstrate how folk tunes, heard in fields, workplaces and pubs, were passed down the generations, and then turned into hymns by Vaughan Williams.

Producers:   Jonathan Hallewell and Rosie Dawson
Presenter:   Edward Stourton

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State funeral; Radical generosity; Folk songs in church

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