Finland
Free speech lives in Finland
The Helsinki court’s affirmation of free speech today is a much-needed beacon of hope
Liberalism is on trial in Europe
Päivi Räsänen is on trial for her Christian beliefs
Unenticing overtures
Rautavaara: 3rd piano concerto (Bis); Overtures from Finland (Chandos)
Why is the United States making concessions to Turkey?
The US should re-evaluate its interests in Europe
Sibelius: Symphonies 3&5 (Alpha-Classics)
There’s a new burst of steam from the sauna
Finnish on a high note
The biggest symphony orchestras are in need of music directors: but who’s in the running for the top spot?
Sibelius: 7 symphonies and Tapiola (Decca)
A fresh, ambitious and daring approach to the familiar Finn
On trial for a Bible tweet
Finnish MP’s case could set a precedent for “unacceptable” beliefs across Europe
Forgotten films
Streaming services contain a wealth of overlooked foreign-language war stories
Musical no man’s lands
Two violin concertos fail to inspire
Prepare for takeoff
Masters of the Air is a visually impressive aerial WW2 adventure with the potential to go far
Recasting the Crown for modern Britain
This progressive historian’s real charge against the monarchic institution is one of “complacency”
Must we keep failing universities alive?
History is full of institutions which could not justify their own existence
Return of the referendum?
More direct democracy could be Europe’s only means of restoring political legitimacy
Death of the model railway?
Not so fast — this is one railway network Beeching can’t cut, and its built of life long fascination
Don’t forget Nicola Sturgeon’s nodding dogs
The SNP have been enabled by uncritical British media
Grimdull
The fantasy genre is afflicted by a dull and tedious obsession with adolescent cynicism, prurient scenes and one dimensional anti-heroes
In defence of British theological education
Critics should be more optimistic about the new generation of ordinands
As flies to wanton boys
Gambling with human lives is just another day in the lives of the one per cent
Michael Gove’s new definition of “extremism” is extremely silly
We cannot define such a vague term with such vague terms
