2.05pm – 3.10pmNORTHERN ROCK FOUNDATION HALL NEW GENERATION THINKERS 2017The New Generation Thinkers is an annual competition run by BBC Radio 3 and the Arts and Humanities Research Council to select 10 researchers at the start of their careers who can turn their fascinating research into stimulating programmes. In this event, the 2017 selection make their first public appearance together: their topics include music and health and Shakespeare in Arabic.

3.45pm – 4.45pmSAGE TWO THE SPEED OF REVOLUTIONLeading historians Bettany Hughes, Richard J. Evans and John Hall join Free Thinking presenter Philip Dodd to consider tumultuous times and how we make sense of sweeping change from classical times, through empire building and the industrial revolution to the present day.

3.55pm – 4.55pmNORTHERN ROCK FOUNDATION HALL INTERVIEW with Haemin Sunim

‘Is it the world that’s busy or my mind?’ The multi-million selling writer and meditation teacher Haemin Sunim and New Generation Thinker Christopher Harding discuss Buddhism in the 21st century.

7.45pm – 8.45pmST MARY’S HERITAGE CENTRE Next to Sage Gateshead THE EARLY MUSIC SHOWPerformer, writer and Radio 3’s early music specialist Lucie Skeaping introduces a performance of that quintessential musical depiction of the changing year, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons from the Avison Ensemble. Named after Charles Avison, the Newcastle-born composer, conductor and organist (1709-1770), the group have performed and provided musical training in the North East for 30 years.

FREE TICKETS For full programme and to book visit sagegateshead.com/freethinking or call 0141 443 4661To guarantee your ticket book in advance. Some tickets are available on the day.

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

SUNDAY

7.45pm – 9.00pm (Saturday) 11.00am – 12.00pm (Sunday)NORTHERN ROCK FOUNDATION HALL THE VERB Ian Macmillan presents two editions of Radio 3’s poetry and spoken word programme. Saturday’s recording celebrates the 800th anniversary of the Charter of the Forest and features Richard Hawley, Emmy the Great and William Fiennes. Sunday’s recording invites you to hear guests including Jacob Polley, Rahul Kohli and Scott Tyrell, who explore and interpret the ancient, rich and contested national identity, Englishness.

12.10pm – 1.20pm SAGE TWO DOING TIME / CONFINEMENTTerry Waite, who spent five years as a hostage mostly held in solitary confinement, and the writer Erwin James, who served 20 years of a life sentence in prison before his release in 2004, discuss the experience of isolation with Dr Cleo Van Velsen, a Consultant Psychiatrist in Forensic Psychotherapy, and Free Thinking presenter Anne McElvoy.

2.15pm – 3.15pmSAGE TWO WRITING LIFEThe award winning poet Simon Armitage’s latest collection explores life against a backdrop of economic recession. His work includes books exploring the South West’s coast path and the Pennine Way. He joins the writer Alexandra Harris, author of a book on the history of English weather, to discuss time and place.

SATURDAY

10.15am – 11.15amNORTHERN ROCK FOUNDATION HALL HOW SHORT IS A SHORT STORY?Acclaimed American short story writer George Saunders talks to Radio 3 presenter Matthew Sweet about travelling in time to explore Abraham Lincoln’s life during the American Civil War. He compares notes on the art of fiction long and short with Paul McVeigh, Jenn Ashworth and Kirsty Logan. 10.30am – 11.30amSAGE TWO QUICK REACTIONSDoes the rush of adrenaline make us think better? It brings us an increase in our strength, heightened senses, a lack of pain and a burst of energy. Damon Hill, Lincoln Jopp, Rachel Brown-Finnis and Dr Ian Walshe discuss adrenaline’s connection to handling crises and its aftermath with Rana Mitter. 12.00pm – 1.00pmNORTHERN ROCK FOUNDATION HALL THE TIME OF YOUR LIFEThe former Health Minister Edwina Currie, the journalist and broadcaster Miranda Sawyer and the English teacher and columnist Lola Okolosie discuss the different times of our lives with Free Thinking presenter Anne McElvoy.

12.15pm – 1.15pmSAGE TWO POLITICS FAST AND SLOWHarriet Harman was first elected a Labour MP in 1982 and has served as the acting leader of her party twice in her career. She talks to Free Thinking presenter Philip Dodd about championing women’s rights and sustaining a political career in a fast-changing political landscape.

3.55pm – 4.55pmSAGE TWO FASTER, FASTER, FASTER?Can the steady tortoise still beat the rapid hare in today’s world? Anne McElvoy chairs a debate with Pinky Lilani, Denise Mina, John Gallagher and Jay Griffiths as they compare experiences of life in the fast lane with taking the slow route – in business, writing and leisure time.

4.00pm – 5.00pm RADIO 3 POP UP STUDIO THE CHOIR

Radio 3’s Sara Mohr-Pietsch introduces a varied selection of choral music, with locally based choir Voices of Hope performing live on the Concourse by Radio 3’s pop up studio.

5.10pm – 6.45pmST MARY’S HERITAGE CENTRE Next to Sage Gateshead WORDS AND MUSICMusic by Schubert, Satie and Bach is performed by violinist Bradley Creswick and members of Royal Northern Sinfonia; and Samuel West and Kim Gerard read Auden, Proust and Yeats.

FREE CONCOURSE ACTIVITIESCome and hear your favourite Radio 3 programmes being made in the Pop-Up Studio.Come and learn new skills with a series of craft events from the BBC’s Get Creative campaign in association with Voluntary Arts.Come and try out presenting in the Radio 3 Presenter Pod.Come and vote for the best ideas from young academies in ‘Speed Dating’ with a New Generation Thinker.

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FRIDAY

4.10pm – 6.30pmNORTHERN ROCK FOUNDATION HALL IN TUNE Suzy Klein hosts live performances from pianist Lars Vogt with members of Royal Northern Sinfonia, Newcastle based Diachronicx (the jazz singer and guitar duo Gabriele Heller and Steve Glendinning) and pianola expert Rex Lawson.

6.15pm – 7.15pmSAGE TWO LATE NIGHT WOMAN’S HOURLauren Laverne talks to Viv Albertine, guitarist in pioneering all-female punk band The Slits for the first Late Night Woman’s Hour in front of a live audience. 7.45pm – 9.00pmSAGE TWO THE FREE THINKING LECTURE: SLEEP – FREEDOM TO THINKProfessor Russell Foster’s research shows how our bodies, honed by 3 million years of evolution, follow a natural clock and not the man-made one in daily use which has led to increased insomnia. Professor Foster explains the neuroscience of sleep and sets out the case for a change in approach.

9.30pm – 11.30pmNORTHERN ROCK FOUNDATION HALL EXPOSURE Radio 3’s programme which brings listeners gigs from around the UK, exploring the local alternative and underground music scene, comes to Sage Gateshead for the first time. Verity Sharp introduces performances by Midnight Doctors, Nathalie Stern and Swarm Front.

WELCOME Welcome to BBC Radio 3’s Free Thinking festival – a packed weekend of debates, interviews and live music at Sage Gateshead. We’re bringing together writers, artists, politicians, sportspeople and scientists to grapple with ‘The Speed of Life’: how a rapidly transforming world is changing our ideas of time. There’s a great selection of live performances to hear how composers and musicians have been inspired by time – from renaissance to jazz.Across the weekend, we’ll broadcast live from our pop up studio in the concourse – come and see Radio 3 in action. You can even try hosting a programme in our training booth! The festival features almost 50 events – most can be booked in advance and some tickets will be available on the day. Tickets are free.Alan Davey BBC Radio 3 Controller

bbc.co.uk/freethinking@BBCRadio3

FESTIVAL OF IDEAS 17 – 19 MARCH 2017 SAGE GATESHEAD

TICKETS FREE

THE SPEED OF LIFE

Listen on BBC Radio 3

Find all the programmes at bbc.co.uk/freethinking

THE SPEED OF LIFE

FRIDAY 17 MARCH SATURDAY 18 MARCH

DIARY OF EVENTS

FREE TICKETS For more details about all of these events, visit sagegateshead.com/freethinking

FESTIVAL OF IDEAS 17 – 19 MARCH 2017 SAGE GATESHEAD

SUNDAY 19 MARCH

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THE SPEED OF LIFE

In association with

SAGE TWO

6.15pm – 7.15pm LATE NIGHT WOMAN’S HOUR:Lauren Laverne talks to Viv Albertine Broadcast on Radio 4: 31/3/16, 11:00pm

7.45pm – 9.00pm THE FREE THINKING LECTURE Broadcast on Radio 3: 17/3/17, 10:00pm

NORTHERN ROCK FOUNDATION HALL

4.10pm – 6.30pm IN TUNE Broadcast Live on Radio 3

9.30pm – 11.30pm EXPOSURE Broadcast on Radio 3: 30/3/17, 11:00pm

SAGE ONE

7.30pm – 9.45pm RADIO 3 IN CONCERT Royal Northern Sinfonia: Beethoven Double Tickets from £12.90 Broadcast Live on Radio 3

RADIO 3 POP-UP STUDIO In Sage Gateshead Café

7.00am – 9.00am BREAKFAST with Martin Handley Broadcast Live on Radio 3

9.00am – 12.15pm RECORD REVIEW with Andrew McGregor Broadcast Live on Radio 3

12.15pm – 1.00pm MUSIC MATTERS with Tom Service Broadcast Live on Radio 3

1.00pm – 3.00pm SATURDAY CLASSICS with Richard Sisson Broadcast Live on Radio 3

3.00pm – 4.00pm SOUND OF CINEMA: FRENCH CINEMA with Matthew Sweet Broadcast Live on Radio 3

4.00pm – 5.00pm JAZZ RECORD REQUESTS with Alyn Shipton Broadcast Live on Radio 3

SAGE TWO

10.30am – 11.30am QUICK REACTIONS Broadcast on Radio 3: 23/3/17, 10:00pm

12.15pm – 1.15pm POLITICS FAST AND SLOW Broadcast on Radio 3: 21/3/17, 10:00pm

2.00pm – 3.00pm BBC RADIO 4: START THE WEEK Broadcast on Radio 4: 20/3/17, 9:00am

3.45pm – 4.45pm THE SPEED OF REVOLUTION Broadcast on Radio 3: 28/3/17, 10:00pm

5.15pm – 6.15pm THE NEVER-ENDING WORKDAY Broadcast on Radio 3: 29/3/17, 10:00pm

7.45pm – 9.00pm THE VERB Broadcast on Radio 3: 24/3/17, 10:00pm

NORTHERN ROCK FOUNDATION HALL

10.15am – 11.15am HOW SHORT IS A SHORT STORY? Broadcast on Radio 3: 22/3/17, 10:00pm

12.00pm – 1.00pm THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE Broadcast on Radio 3: 30/3/17, 10:00pm

2.05pm – 3.10pm NEW GENERATION THINKERS Broadcast on Radio 3: 4/4/17, 10:00pm

3.55pm – 4.55pm INTERVIEW WITH HAEMIN SUNIM Broadcast on Radio 3: 5/4/17, 10:00pm

5.30pm – 6.30pm MY BODY CLOCK IS BROKEN Broadcast on Radio 3: 12/4/17, 10:00pm

THE BARBOUR ROOM

11.35am – 11.55am Edmund Richardson ALEXANDER THE GREAT’S LOST CITY Broadcast on Radio 3: 21/3/17, 10:45pm

1.20pm – 1.40pm Katherine Cooper THE BRITISH WRITER AND THE REFUGEE Broadcast on Radio 3: 23/3/17, 10:45pm

3.20pm – 3.40pm Louisa Egbunike IN THE SHADOWS OF BIAFRA Broadcast on Radio 3: 22/3/17, 10:45pm

4.50pm – 5.10pm Preti Taneja CREATING MODERN INDIA Broadcast on Radio 3: 30/3/17, 10:45pm

6.35pm – 6.55pm Victoria Donovan RUSSIA’S SACRED RUINS Broadcast on Radio 3: 24/3/17, 10:45pm

7.05pm – 7.25pm Seb Falk MONKS, MODELS AND MEDIEVAL TIME Broadcast on Radio 3: 20/3/17, 10:45pm

ST MARY’S HERITAGE CENTRE Next to Sage Gateshead

7.45pm – 8.45pm EARLY MUSIC SHOW Broadcast on Radio 3: 26/3/17, 2:00pm

SAGE GATESHEAD CONCOURSE

5.15pm – 6.15pm SPEED DATING WITH THE NEW GENERATION THINKERS

RADIO 3 POP-UP STUDIO In Sage Gateshead Café

7.00am – 9.00am BREAKFAST with Martin Handley Broadcast Live on Radio 3

9.00am – 12.00pm SUNDAY MORNING with Jonathan Swain Broadcast Live on Radio 3

1.40pm – 2.10pm THE LISTENING SERVICE with Tom Service Broadcast on Radio 3: 19/3/17, 5:00pm

4.00pm – 5.00pm THE CHOIR with Sara Mohr-Pietsch Broadcast Live on Radio 3

SAGE TWO

12.10pm – 1.20pm DOING TIME/CONFINEMENT Broadcast on Radio 3: 27/3/17, 10:00pm

2.15pm – 3.15pm WRITING LIFE Broadcast on Radio 3: 9/4/17, 10:00pm

3.55pm – 4.55pm FASTER, FASTER, FASTER? Broadcast on Radio 3: 20/3/17, 10:00pm

5.30pm – 6.30pm EDUCATION SLOW AND FAST Broadcast on Radio 3: 3/4/17, 10:00pm

NORTHERN ROCK FOUNDATION HALL

11.00am – 12.00pm THE VERB Broadcast on Radio 3: 31/3/17, 10:00pm

12.45pm – 1.45pm TIME, SPACE AND SCIENCE Broadcast on Radio 3: 11/4/17, 10:00pm

2.20pm – 3.20pm TAKING THE LONG VIEW WITH THE ANIMAL KINGDOM Broadcast on Radio 3: 13/4/17, 10:00pm

3.55pm – 5.00pm BBC RADIO 4’S THE LIFE SCIENTIFIC: Paleontologist Dr Nick Fraser Broadcast on Radio 4 after Easter

THE BARBOUR ROOM

11.30am – 11.50am Cathering Fletcher FAITH, FIRE AND THE FAMILY Broadcast on Radio 3: 27/3/17, 10:45pm

12.10pm – 12.30pm Matthew Smith THE MAGIC YEARS Broadcast on Radio 3: 28/3/17, 10:45pm

1.50pm – 2.10pm John Gallagher ENGLAND’S FIRST EUROPEAN: THE CURIOUS VOYAGE OF FYNES MORYSON Broadcast on Radio 3: 29/3/17, 10:45pm

3.25pm – 3.45pm Chris Harding KILLING TIME IN IMPERIAL JAPAN Broadcast on Radio 3: 31/3/17, 10:45pm

SAGE GATESHEAD CONCOURSE

12.40pm – 1.35pm SPEED DATING WITH THE NEW GENERATION THINKERS ST MARY’S HERITAGE CENTRE Next to Sage Gateshead

5.10pm – 6.45pm WORDS AND MUSIC Broadcast Live on Radio 3

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