..out of the dark

... and meanwhile, I'll just post some of the broadcasts bbc4 has had on Iran lately, since they're probably going to be gone from their listen- again service in another week or so. They're all part of bbc4's "Uncovering Iran"- series.. season..? ..feature.. thing..


Anyway, it has a fine main- page here, and it will probably have links to the main features for a while in separate realmedia- streams. All very good programs.

(All the files on this page are in crappy mp3- format (48kbp/s@22Khz) through loss- loss conversion from bbc's realmedia- streams).

On the past:
Darius the Great ruled Persia, which at the time was about half the world, after assassinating the remaining rightful heirs of Cyrus, the founder of the persian empire. The story of Darius,as told by Herodotus, is presented by the BBC in maddening briefness, with sound- effects and funny accents.

How, then, would perhaps the history of Iran play a role in shaping the Iranian identity? Neil McGregor goes to Shiraz to see if he can dig up any clues.


And on the present:
About what really goes on behind the rhetoric, at least as far as anyone in position to know can understand it.

This program was about the relationships, or lack thereof, Iran has with her neighbours.

And a short profile on Mahmood Ahmadinejad, who is the current ruler of Iran.. (sort of), and, to some, the personification of all that is wrong with the middle east.