Vikerraadio adds history, science and political analysis this autumn

Estonian public broadcaster ERR reports that Vikerraadio will launch three new programmes in the first week of September, covering political analysis, science and the centenary of Estonian broadcasting. The history series “European Time” will also return for a second season.

The station’s regular programmes will continue, including “Foreign Hour” on Mondays and “The Cone Doesn’t Fall Far from the Tree” on Sundays. The autumn schedule will feature new voices, stories and opinions from presenters including Indrek Treufeldt, Urmas Jaagant, Dannar Leitmaa and Alo Lõhmus.

“A Century on Air” marks broadcasting centenary

The series “A Century on Air”, presented by Indrek Treufeldt, will begin on September 4 and air on Fridays at 3.15 p.m.

The programme will tell the 100-year story of Estonian broadcasting and examine how the public has shaped broadcasting and how broadcasting has shaped the public. It will cover the republic, occupations, war, censorship and the Singing Revolution, with each period described as having its own voices, silences and listeners.

The first episode will focus on the period before broadcasting began, including experiments, spark-based solutions and the hopes that led to regular radio. Külli Tüli is the series sound director.

“The Fourth Reading” to examine politics

Journalists Urmas Jaagant and Dannar Leitmaa will present the new opinion programme “The Fourth Reading”, which begins on September 6 and airs on Sundays at 12.05 p.m.

The programme will focus on developments in Estonian society and politics, which the presenters say are often obscured by constant emotional coverage. They will examine why events happened, whether they happened at all, why someone wants them discussed and what may happen next.

“We are not looking for culprits, for the most part, but are trying to find the reasons why things are the way they are, how we got here and what happens next,” the presenters said.

Leitmaa said the programme would also explore what politics is: a game, a technology, a matter of interests or something else. Jaagant said the title referred to the three readings through which matters in the Riigikogu, Estonia’s parliament, should become clear, although that does not always happen. The new programme will seek answers to the questions of why events occur and provide background to important developments in Estonian society.

“European Time” returns

The second season of the history series “European Time” begins on September 6 and airs on Sundays at 1.05 p.m. Alo Lõhmus is the new presenter.

The programme will continue to examine engaging aspects of European history and explore both the differences between European countries and what they have in common.

The first episode will feature Kalle Karoles, a visiting professor of international forest policy at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, discussing the development of Europe’s forests. Later episodes will see Lõhmus speak with archaeologist Mauri Kiudsoo about the role of silver and silver coins in European history.

Lõhmus studied history at the University of Tartu and trained as a forestry worker at Luua Forestry School. He has worked as a journalist at the newspapers Postimees, Eesti Ekspress and Maaleht, and edited the magazines Imeline Teadus, Imeline Ajalugu and Eesti Mets.

“Atlas” to summarise science news

The new science programme “Atlas” will also begin on September 6, airing on Sundays at 5.05 p.m. It will be hosted by Johannes Peetsalu and Andres Reimann.

The programme will summarise the week’s most important science news and offer mental challenges to curious listeners. Its presenters said they would explore the behind-the-scenes world of science, explain everyday wonders and keep asking questions, because there are no foolish questions, especially in science.