Sanctuary is an ancient right – a haven, a place of refuge and freedom from harm. But what does sanctuary mean in today’s world? With the growth of nationalism and individualism, the concept has drifted away from a place of openness and welcome towards privacy: home as sanctuaries against strangers, migrants, incomers. Cultural historian Marina Warner talks to Daniel Hahn about the profound questions she raises in her book about our right to safety, home, freedom of movement – and the power of storytelling.

Dame Marina Warner is an award-winning English historian, mythographer, novelist, and short story writer, known for her work on myth, fairy tales, and the role of women in them. She is Professor of English and Creative Writing at Birkbeck, University of London.

Daniel Hahn OBE is an award-winning writer, editor and translator with around 100 books to his name. His work has been shortlisted for the Man Booker International Prize, and his authored books include The Oxford Companion to Children’s Literature and Catching Fire: A Translation Diary.

Photo © Edward Park