Introduction

Tom Hodgkinson is the editor of the IDLA magazine. He joins us to tell us a little bit about the chaotic origins of the Christmas festival. The traditions that we have at Christmas are in fact basically sort of ancient. They're common to many pre-Christian festivals, such as Saturnalia. And so this Saturnalia and all sorts of ancient midwinter feast and festivals sort of morph into the Christian Christmas. So prepare to forget everything you think you know about the festival we're about to enjoy. And let's learn something new. Slow.