Bremen is doubtless a fine place. The city on the Weser river just didn't seem to ooze appeal as we crawled at walking pace in a slow moving line of traffic, visibility restricted by great flakes of wet snow falling out of a grey December sky. A moment to turn to the radio, for Europe's local radio stations tell a rich tale of diversity. Twiddle the dial through an aural maze designed mainly for those nurtured on a diet of MTV, and there is always something special there for the taking. In Bremen it turned out to be the world news in Latin! Now it might come as no surprise to find Vatican Radio broadcasting in Latin, but Radio Bremen?

Well, true it is, and for some years the north German radio station has broadcast a comprehensive monthly news digest in Latin.