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 Lucy Popescu 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.

Photo © Edward Park