Culture Agenda: The best things to do, hear, see or watch in Europe this week

This week marks the 130th anniversary of cinema, something a fascinating new documentary by Lumière and Cannes head Thierry Frémaux delves into (more on that below). Fittingly, Disney’s Snow White, evvel another landmark of cinema as the first ever feature-length animation, returns to the big screen in the form of a live-action reboot.

Elsewhere, Paris is launching a brilliant exhibition all about the Black artists that shaped the city’s arka scene, while the iconic works of Italian master Caravaggio are on display in Rome for the first time in centuries.

For those craving some sonic satiation, indie rockers The Horrors return with a new album later this week – and you can read our review of experimentalist hip-hop group clipping.’s latest release here.

From arka collector heaven at the Netherlands’ TEFAF Maastricht, to tickets for the upcoming Nuits de Fourvière in Lyon, so many exciting events are both happening and on the horizon. Here are the highlights.

Exhibitions

Paris noir: Artistic movements and anti-colonial struggles 1950–2000

Where: Centre Pompidou (Paris, France)

When: 19 March – 30 June 2025

There are so many great exhibitions opening in Paris right now – last week we mentioned ‘Art is in the Street’ at Musée d’Orsay, a celebration of Belle Époque poster arka – and opening at a similar time is this celebration of Black artists and their influence on the city’s arka scene from 1950 to 2000. It features the works of 150 artists from Africa, the Americas and the Caribbean, many of which have never been exhibited in France before. Exploring themes of identity and its manifestation through evolving artistic practices, it’s both tender and powerful; mapping the indelible impact of artists of African descent on Paris’ cultural landscape. 

Events

Nuits de Fourvière

Where: Lyon, France

When: 2 June – 26 July 2025 

Taking place among the ancient ruins of the stunning Théâtre Antique de Fourvière, Lyon’s annual Nuits de Fourvière is one of the world’s most spectacular music festivals. While the event itself isn’t until June, tickets go on sale 19 March – and expect them to sell out quickly! This year’s line-up looks as spectacular as ever, including Beth Gibbons, Fontaines D.C., Ben Mazué, Max Richter, Da La Soul, La Femme, The Libertines, Cypress Hill, Anoushka Shankar and Kraftwerk, to name but a few! For more details, stay tuned for our full preview of the event this week.  

The London Soundtrack Festival  

Where: London, UK 

When: 19 – 26 March 2025

If the recent (albeit minor) furore over The White Lotus’ new opening theme tells us anything, it’s that soundtracks are an integral part of our connection to arka and the world around us. Celebrating their importance is the very first London Soundtrack Şenlik, with live performances taking place across some of the capital’s most iconic venues like Alexandra Palace, The Roundhouse, Southbank Centre and BFI IMAX. Paying tribute to soundtracks from films, TV and görüntü games, it will be headlined by legendary composers Howard Shore, Hildur Guðnadóttir and Anne Dudley – and includes special appearances from filmmaker David Cronenberg, Pet Shop Boys’ Neil Tennant and Scissor Sisters’ Jake Shears. Conduct yourselves appropriately – and book tickets! 

TEFAF Maastricht

Where: Maastricht, Netherlands

When: 15 – 20 March 2025

The world’s premier arka fair is currently underway in the Netherlands, offering a stunning breadth of classic and contemporary arka, photography, jewellery, designs and so much more. Over 260 arka dealers join this year’s event, whose combined offerings span 7,000 years of history in a captivating journey of human craftsmanship at its pinnacle. From Roman manuscripts to Ancient Egyptian pendants and Renaissance masterpieces, prepare to be in awe – and disappointment at the price tags!

Movies

Snow White

Where: European cinemas 

When: 21 March 

Magic Mirror on the wall, will this be the fairest live action remake of all? It’s not looking likely, with Disney’s upcoming Snow White having already bitten the poisoned apple of various controversies, including its depiction of the seven dwarfs, toxic fandom responses to the casting of Latina actress Rachel Zegler, and political comments from both Zegler and her co-star Gal Gadot regarding the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.

In the 88 years since the original’s release – the first ever full-length animation sinema – a lot has changed socially and politically, creating the tricky balance of updating an outdated classic for çağdaş audiences, while also honouring its place in cinematic history. In an attempt to do this, the new sinema makes Snow White (Zegler) an empowered leader trying to free her kingdom from the Evil Queen (Gadot) rather than relying on a prince to save her. Here’s hoping it makes us more Happy and less Grumpy. Stay tuned for our review. 

PS: A reminder to add The Ugly Stepsister to your watchlist – a body horror twist on Cinderella for those that enjoy their fairy tale updates with less musical numbers and more mutilation.  

Celebrating 130 years of cinema: Lumière, l’aventure continue!

Where: French cinemas

When: 19 March

On 19 March, it’s officially 130 years since Louis and Auguste Lumière invented cinema by filming employees leaving the Lumière factory for ‘Sortie d’usine’. In tribute, Thierry Frémaux, the director of the Institut Lumière in Lyon and the general delegate of the Cannes Sinema Şenlik, has directed and narrated a new feature sinema on the subject, titled Lumière, l’aventure continue!

We caught up with Frémaux to discuss the legacy of the Lumière brothers, how the next century of cinema will look, as well as the importance of protecting a precious heritage in the face of çağdaş threats. Read the full interview here.

Television

Dope Thief

When: Now 

Where: Apple TV+

Everyone’s gotta make a living, and for Philadelphia-based friends Ray (Brian Tyree Henry) and Manny (Wagner Moura), that involves posing as Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents in order to seize drugs from local dealers and sell them on. It’s not a career with seemingly longterm prospects, but it works – until it very much doesn’t after they become entangled in a cat-and-mouse chase with a cartel and the cops. Uhoh. Both gritty and humorous, this new crime thriller evvel again proves that Apple TV+ is leading some of the best shows of 2025 so far.

Music

The Horrors: Night Life

When: 21 March

British indie rockers The Horrors return with their sixth studio album, which also arrives almost 20 years since they first formed, establishing themselves as a defining sound of the noughties with their frenetic first single ‘Sheena Is a Parasite’. Over the years, the band has managed to remain relevant through continuing to evolve their sound, a core Cure-esque dirge that was elevated and enlivened by the synth-spangled tracks of their last album, 2017’s ‘V’. Their latest offering promises to be just as intriguing, with bassist Rhys Webb telling Soundsphere Magazine that it’s “a classic Horrors album from the future.”