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Secret Cities

Art historians Janina Ramirez and Alastair Sooke return to take us on three more revealing cultural city breaks. These are the cities that tourists visit in their droves, but by veering off the beaten track, hidden secrets can be revealed. These are tales of power, rivalry, and subversion wrapped up in art and music. How is a city’s unseen character reflected in its cultural enterprises?
20183 episodes
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Episodes

  1. S2 E1 - Lisbon
    April 8, 2018
    50min
    ALL
    Located on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal’s capital Lisbon has an overwhelmingly cosmopolitan feel. But, as Janina Ramirez and Alastair Sooke discover, the culture associated with Lisbon reveals a dark, disturbing underbelly. Slavery, oppression and tragedy are all present in the city’s music and art. But what other troubling elements will they unearth in Lisbon’s cultural hotspots?
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  2. S2 E2 - Beirut
    April 15, 2018
    50min
    ALL
    A fascinating crossroads between east and west, Lebanon’s capital Beirut has a rich history and a troubled recent past. With 18 recognized religious groups present, it's the most diverse city in the Arab world. But what influence does this unique demographic mix have on the art associated with the city? Janina Ramirez and Alastair Sooke discover a place using art to confront its demons.
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  3. S2 E3 - Baku
    April 22, 2018
    51min
    TV-G
    Baku, capital of Azerbaijan, is a fascinating mix of cultural contrasts. It sits on an ancient silk trading route, but is trying to present itself as a modern metropolis with a plethora of bold, architectural innovations. It wants to encourage art, but it's an authoritarian state, where cultural life is tightly controlled. Can Janina and Alastair find the true soul of Baku in its hidden culture?
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Details

More info

Subtitles
None available
Producers
Richard Bright
Starring
Janina RamirezAlastair Sooke
Studio
BBC Studios Ltd
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