When pop music meets politics, the results are often thrilling, sometimes lifechanging and never simple. 33 Revolutions Per Minute: A History of Protest Songs tracks this turbulent relationship across 33 pivotal songs that span seven decades and four continents. In this event, Dorian Lynskey explored the individuals, ideas and events behind some celebrated examples, using music and video clips to explain how these songs were written and what they tell us about certain moments in history.

Bob Dylan’s songs formed an indispensable soundtrack to the 1960s, and have continued to capture the imagination of audiences ever since. His song lyrics are often praised for their poetry and he has been acclaimed by some as one of the great unsung poets of the 20th century.

This was an evening of discussion about Dylan’s life and lyrics and Jewishness, punctuated by covers of some key songs from the mesmerising Jackie Oates.

Leonard Cohen has had many incarnations: seen by many as a living musical legend, he has been a novelist, poet, folk singer, and Buddhist monk. Admitting to influences as wide ranging as Hebrew prayer and Lorca, Cohen himself has in turn inspired generations of artists. Salman Rushdie said, “If I could write like that, I would.” Jewish Book Week, in conjunction with the Jewish Music Institute and Faber Books presented an evening of appreciation for Cohen’s poetry, prose and...