Walking in the Campo de Fiori while hearing abominable tales from the times of Nero -- baboons and stallions raping nubile women for pure entertainment -- has confirmed my belief that the human race hasn't changed all that much. As my gelato melted, I concluded that we still possess a...

Quentin Crisp once said ''Never tell your mother anything.'' Luckily that worry never reigned my head as I did not have the opportunity to know my mother, let alone having to tell her my private thoughts and ambitions. Had she been around, her motherly concerns would have probably led her...

''A little less conversation, a little more action please.'' You are not likely to hear this phrase from punters at book festivals. For these festivals offer you the chance to say more than just a few gratuitously laudatory words to your favourite author. Even if he doesn't fall under the...

Absolute monarchy. What a disconcerting thought. Don't think you would you fancy one. Would you? Britons have the best of both worlds as in both democratic government and monarchy, yet some of us needlessly express concerns about the royal family's expenses which cost less than a pound per person. Ban...

It is that time of the year again when I find myself programming our annual festival of arts, media, literature, film and music in Russia. This year, we have chosen Moscow for the celebration. Saint Petersburg was our magical playground in 2007. And I still cherish that very first Russian...

A festival of discovery in the the Reykjavik of the South every Summer? When you hear that, what is your immediate reaction? Mine is as follows: what a nice change from sporting the 'all dressed up and nowhere to go' look, eating non-vegetarian haggis and walking aimlessly on Princes Street...