Great Lives

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Factual: Life Stories

Biographical series in which guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.

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Great Lives: Olia Hercules on Alla Horska, Ukrainian painter

Olia Hercules on Alla Horska, Ukrainian painter

BBC Radio 4 - Great Lives, Olia Hercules on Alla Horska, Ukrainian painter

Cookbook author and activist Olia Hercules nominates the Ukrainian painter Alla Horska.

Ukrainian cookbook author Olia Hercules nominates the painter and activist Alla Horska. Presented by Matthew Parris.

"Cooking is like therapy to us. I grew up where my big extended family would come together in summer under the walnut tree. The adults would drink and we’d eat, stories would be told and we'd break into song. It was a healing process." 

In the first of a new series, the cookbook author Olia Hercules tells us why she's picked the Ukrainian artist and activist Alla Horska as her Great Life. A member of the Sixtiers, Alla was a part of the  Ukrainian dissident movement of writers, artists and cultural figures who stood against the destruction of Ukrainian identity and rallied for greater freedoms. 

Growing up in Ukraine, Olia says she was taught so much about Russian culture, and so little about Ukrainian culture, that she wanted to fix that. Now in a time of war,  Olia discovers how parts of Alla's life mirror her own. Joining her in studio is Tetyana Filevska, creative director of the Ukrainian Institute. Tetyana moved to London to escape the war in Ukraine. 

Future guests in the series include writer Olivia Laing on Christopher Lloyd, Bob Harris on Sir Matt Busby, and Noddy Holder on Chuck Berry. 

Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Caitlin Hobbs

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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Great Lives

Olia Hercules on Alla Horska, Ukrainian painter

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