Italy

Italian architect Francesco da Mosto presents a humorous and thoughtful take on the history of Britain from his Italian perspective.

From the roots of the British stiff upper lip found in Roman stoicism, to the Venetian skies of a Canaletto painting that seem to evoke those he saw during his time in Britain, and seeking out a Rolling Stones record sung in Italian in London's Portobello market - a modern nod to the century's old cultural connection between Britain and Italy.

With contributions from historian Professor Eugenio Biagini from the University of Cambridge, Dr Lucia Rinaldi from the Italian department of University College London, and Mariano Rubinacci the head of the second generation of tailors who have made their mark on British and Italian fashion.

Across this series, five mainland Europeans give their take on Britain's historical relationship with their home country - the historical moments and popular culture that have created the image of the Brit in the mind of continental Europeans.

The notion of Britain being separated in splendid isolation from the continent is fundamental to many of the historical misunderstandings and strains on the relationship with Europe. Yet as frequently as the British appear to be the haughty thorn in Europe's side, our authors find moments of intertwined history that have drawn the island closer to the mainland - from how the Brits live to how they dress and their ability to get a good cup of coffee.

Each author reflects on the moments in their own lives that have drawn them to Britain and Britishness - The Beatles, psychologist Hans-Jürgen Eysenck, or the call of Aberdeen from the most westerly part of Denmark.

Producer: Katherine Godfrey
A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4.