Culture

Our curated articles offering new takes on the big themes and questions in our culture. Plus reviews of books, film, media and experiences. Culture is one of four key themes covered by Seen & Unseen.

Review
  1. Culture
A young man wearing a dark suit talks to a minister wearing regalia.

Most popular 2024: Graham Tomlin

Nick Jones
From princes to politicians, Graham's top takes of the year.
4min read
Review
  1. Books
  2. Culture
A pile of books on a bedside table.

Re-enchanting… reading lists

Tom Rippon
As a Re-enchanting series ends, here's our guests and staff book picks.
6min read
Podcast
  1. Advent
  2. Christmas survival
A nocturnal snow-covered scene of a tree, chapel and Christmas tree casting shadows.

Christmas countdown day 24: midnight's anxiety

Paula Duncan
Challenging OCD on Christmas Eve to find freedom.
1min read
Review
  1. Christmas culture
  2. Culture
At a Christmas party, friend smile, laugh, and collapse in a heap on a sofa.

The twelve days of Christmas TV

Yaroslav Walker
What to watch across the festive season.
6min read
Podcast
  1. Advent
  2. Christmas survival
Beyond a misty and raindrop streaked window, a colourful triangle shape emerges.

Christmas countdown day 23: the poets

Beatrice Scudeler
Tennyson, Eliot, Rossetti and L’Engle: at Christmas, sorrow doesn’t preclude joy.
1min read
Snippet
  1. Christmas culture
  2. Culture
candle

Christmas offers moment of relief amid global political and economic turmoil

Nick Jones
Read Graham Tomlin's article for the Daily Express.
1min read
Podcast
  1. Awe and wonder
  2. Christmas culture
A carol singer looks down while candles flicker.

Christmas countdown day 22: the contrast

Katherine Amphlett
You learn more when Christmas feels wrong.
1min read
Explainer
  1. Christmas culture
  2. Culture
Silhouttes of three wise men approach the Virgin and Child, painted on stone.

The mysterious Magi: outsiders, outlandish, Uyghur?

Benjamin Sharkey
Many claimed the Wise Men, wherever the story was heard.
7min read
Article
  1. Christmas culture
  2. Culture
A sister visits a brother

This is love, actually

Cameron Wiltshire-Plant
Love is not always simply a joy, delight, and comfort.
4min read
Article
  1. Advent
  2. Attention
A Renaissance painting of Elizabeth greeting the Virgin birth show two woman reaching out to hug, while others look on.

The Visitation and Wicked taught me about welcoming

Jessica Brown
See, behold, recognise, welcome.
4min read
Podcast
  1. Advent
  2. Christmas culture
A woman dressed as a historical Middle Eastern innkeeper's wife.

Christmas countdown day 21: the innkeeper's wife

Natalie Garrett
Experience an overfamiliar story, in a new way. An audio one-woman show.
1min read
Article
  1. Christmas culture
  2. Culture
Pop stars sing together while recording a charity single.

Band Aid: that song, that question

Krish Kandiah
What’s so funny about generosity, kindness and compassion?
6min read