This week Libby Purves is joined by Jenny Balfour Paul, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Jack Mapanje and Dr Robert Vanderplank.
JENNY BALFOUR PAUL Jenny Balfour Paul is a world expert on indigo and Consultant Curator of a new new exhibition in Brighton, Indigo: A Blue to Dye For, which tells the story of the world’s oldest, most magical, and best-loved dye. Indigo: A Blue to Dye Foris at Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, Hove Museum, with links to the Royal Pavilion from 29th September until 6th January 2008.
Jenny will be giving a talk at the National Gallery on 31st October.
The book Indigo by Jenny Balfour Paul is published by Archetype Publications.
SIR ROBIN KNOX-JOHNSTON
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston is the legendary yatchtsman who, forty years ago, became the first man to sail round the world singlehanded. Then at the age of sixty-seven he decided to do it again and took part in the 2006 Velux Five oceans race, because he wanted to show that age is not a disadvantage. His book Force of Nature is published by Penguin.
JACK MAPANJE
Jack Mapanje is the Malawian poet who was arrested in 1987 and imprisoned without charge for more than three years. He sought solace by composing poems, unaware of a huge international campaign to get him released. He has been nominated for the Forward Prize for Poetry for The Beasts of Nalunga. The winner will be announced on 3rd October. The Beasts of Nalunga is published by Bloodaxe.
DR ROBERT VANDERPLANK
Dr Robert Vanderplank is the Director of the Oxford University Languages Centre. In his book Uglier Than a Monkey's Armpit he has scoured the world looking for the most interesting, insightful and expressive insults and curses from over forty languages. Uglier Than a Monkey's Armpit is published by Macmillan.
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