BBC Radio 3 is decamping to Liverpool in November for a weekend of free debates, talks and arts tackling a variety of subjects including morality, the impact of new technology and loneliness in the 21st century. The events centred around FACT and BBC Radio Merseyside’s new building in Hanover Street will take place over the weekend Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th November. The opening lecture will be delivered by Brian Eno at the Hope University’s Cornerstone Building. The renowned musician and composer will deliver a talk to kick off the weekend devoted to free thinking. Many of the events will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 over the weekend or in the week afterwards. Free Thinking BlogsThe festival is accompanied by a series of blogs by people both in Liverpool and beyond on the subject of free thinking. Liverpool residents John McGuirk and Margo Hogg debate issues in the Community Blog, Merseyside playwright Esther Wilson hosts the Liverpool Blog, Jonathan Ree hosts the Philosophers Blog and Rana Dasgupta hosts the Writers Blog Festival highlights include a chance to go Speed Dating with a thinker at FACT on Saturday 4th November and Sunday 5th November. This is your chance to have encounters with ten thinkers in the space of 20 minutes. At the end participants will be invited to vote on their favourite idea. Digital station BBC 7 will be broadcasting its children’s programme The Big Toe Radio Show live from BBC Radio Merseyside on Saturday November 4th. Children and parents are invited along to see presenter Adrian Dickson and the programme team broadcast between 4.15pm and 5pm.  | | Brian Eno |
At FACT Phil Redmond will debate ‘Who does technology put in charge?’ at the Screen Two from 11.30am on Saturday November 4th. Radio 3’s Mixing It programme which celebrates experimental and uncategorised new music will take to the stage at the BBC Big Screen in Clayton Square between 12pm and 3pm on Saturday November 4th. On Sunday November 5th a specially selected panel will debate ‘Is Liverpool an English City’, BBC Radio Merseyside’s Roger Phillips will be joined by loveLiverpool founder Jayne Casey, historian John Belcham and Liverpool born writer Linda Grant. All of the events except for films are free but tickets need to be reserved in advance. All free tickets are available from the BBC Audience Line on 08700 100 300. | 
