CPT12 to Feature Easter Programming Marathon Journey with Rick Steves’ Specials and a Six-Part Ancient Roads Documentary Series
Denver (March 15, 2016) – On Sunday, March 27 from 2 p.m. – 12 midnight, Colorado Public Television (CPT12, PBS) will pre-empt its regular schedule in order to take viewers on a special Easter journey through Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa with two Rick Steves’ specials and a six-part documentary series, “Ancient Roads from Christ to Constantine.”
“We are delighted to celebrate Christianity’s holiest day of the year by offering an amazing lineup of Easter special programming,” said Dominic Dezzutti, Vice President of Content for Colorado Public Television. “This expedition departs from Europe and travels to the Holy Land and North Africa, exploring history, culture and religion in a deeply immersive way.”
2:00 p.m. – “Rick Steves’ Special: European Easter” takes viewers on a spring journey through Spain, Slovenia, Switzerland, Italy, and Greece, celebrating this 2,000-year-old story in a variety of cultures. The emotion of this special time is felt as the Passion of Christ unfolds during Holy Week. Steves’ joins Andalusians carrying parade floats, Greek priests tossing showers of flower petals, and villagers blessing olive branches, plus feasting, fireworks, and more. Exploring a rich and fascinating mix of traditions — from its pagan roots to its glorious finale — “Rick Steves’ European Easter” sheds new light on this timeless holiday. Repeats at 10:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m. – “Rick Steves’ Special: The Holy Land, Israelis And Palestinians Today” weaves together both the Israeli and the Palestinian narratives to better understand a place that is, for a third of humanity, literally holy land. The crossroads for three great religions, the Holy Land has been coveted and fought over for centuries. Host Rick Steves visits the major sights, but delves deeper to better understand and empathize with both peoples. In Israel, he goes from the venerable ramparts of Jerusalem to the vibrant modern skyline of Tel Aviv. In Palestine, by harvesting olives near Hebron, visiting a home in Bethlehem, and popping into a university in Ramallah, he comes to know a land few tourists visit. And all along the way, he learns about security walls, disputed settlements, and the persistent challenges facing the region as Israelis and Palestinians learn to coexist peacefully. Repeats at 11:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. “Ancient Roads From Christ To Constantine,” Parts 1 – 6. In this special marathon, author and distinguished history professor Jonathan Phillips of Royal Holloway, University of London, takes viewers on a spectacular and dramatic twelve thousand mile journey of a lifetime, traveling the ancient roads to the very places where Christianity began. “Ancient Roads from Christ to Constantine” is a captivating adventure through four centuries and seven countries in the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe.
Jonathan travels in six extraordinary episodes to the places where history was made. Viewers experience the sights and sounds of the past revealing in a personal way the passionate stories, struggles and triumphs of the early Christians.
The film is produced and directed by acclaimed documentary filmmaker Hector Galan who has produced over 40 hours of primetime programming for PBS including programs for “Frontline” and “American Experience” and for the History Channel.