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

Happy Easter Monday! It’s time to hatch from that chocolate-induced coma and devour another round of cultural recommendations instead.

While many of you will likely be buried in the latest season of The Last of Us, fresh (body)horrors await over on streaming platform Shudder, where one of our favourite Berlinale films was recently released: The Ugly Stepsister.

London is blooming with exhibitions — from world-class photography to the vintage glamour of Cartier — while over in Naples, hundreds of previously stolen artefacts are being displayed for the very first time.

Grab your to-do lists and read on for this week’s highlights…

Exhibitions

Cartier

Where: V&A South Kensington (London, UK)

When: Until 16 November 2025

Founded in 1847 by Parisian jeweller Louis-François Cartier, Cartier has become synonymous with exquisite craftsmanship and timeless glamour. From 1960s surrealist melty watches to diamond-decorated tiaras, more than 350 of the luxury brand’s most iconic creations take centre stage at the V&A Museum’s major new exhibition. Charting the brand’s artistic evolution from the turn of the 20th century, it’s a dazzling display of old-school opulence that will make you gasp in awe — and covet pretty things. Find out more here. 

Rediscovered Treasures: Stories of Crimes and Stolen Finds

Where: National Archaeological Museum of Naples (Italy)

When: Until 30 September 2025

Following decades of investigative work, hundreds of previously looted artefacts have finally made their way home to Italy. At a time when the topics of repatriation and art theft loom large, the National Archaeological Museum of Naples’ new exhibition explores the intricacies of reuniting lost cultural artefacts with their rightful place. From marble statues to ancient armour, a total of 600 objects — many of which were sourced by a special police force in Italy — are now on display for the very first time. Find out more here.

Difficult Sites: Architecture Against the Odds

Where: RIBA Architecture Gallery (London, UK)

When: Until 31 May 2025

There was never a better (or more urgent) time to visit the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), which recently announced its headquarters will temporarily close on 31 May for refurbishments. Its final exhibition focuses on some incredible challenges architects have overcome since the 1900s  — from navigating precarious terrain to sorun solving complex remodels. Explored through the endeavours of contemporary and historic architects, it captures the heart of a profession driven not only by skill, but passionate determination.

Sony Photography Awards 

Where: Somerset House (London, UK)  

When: 17 April 2025 – 5 may 2025

Launched in 2007, the Sony World Photography Awards have become one of the medium’s most prestigious competitions; championing a diversely reflective vision of the world. This year’s edition saw over 419,000 images submitted from over 200 countries and territories, with British photographer Zed Nelson named Photographer of the Year for his powerful environmental series, ‘The Anthropocene Illusion’. Nelson’s works, and those of the other category winners, are now on display at London’s Somerset House in a profoundly moving display of humanity, nature and connection.

Events

Cinemas of the South (Festival Cinémas du Sud)

Where: Institut Lumière (Lyon, France)

When: 23 April – 26 April

Cinema has always been a space in which we can find a sense of universal understanding. It allows us to taban into the lives of others, often far removed from our own, and connect through empathy that shifts perspectives. This is an experience core to the Cinémas du Sud şenlik, which spotlights the diverse and underrepresented voices within contemporary cinema. This year’s edition focuses on filmmakers from the Maghreb and the Middle East, encouraging discussion and analysis of the complex issues facing the Arab world.

The Literature & Wine Festival

Where: Göttweig Abbey, Austria 

When: 24 April – 27 April 2025

Few things in life pair so beautifully as a good book and a glass of wine — a fact that Austria’s annual Literature and Wine Şenlik proudly celebrates. Running since 1999, it takes place at the grandiose Göttweig Abbey, a mountaintop Benedictine monastery that was evvel a library and monastic school in the middle ages. Surrounded by some of Austria’s most famous wine regions, it’s the perfect setting for visitors to immerse themselves in the local history and culture, with a programme of guided tours, literary readings, wine tastings and more. Palates, prepare for sophistication.

Movies

The Ugly Stepsister 

Where: Shudder

When: Available now

If Disney would have us believe that beauty conquers all, Emilie Blichfeldt’s body horror questions: At what cost? 

Having premiered at Sundance and the Berlin Sinema Festival earlier this year, Den stygge stesøsteren (The Ugly Stepsister) is a squirm-inducing dissection of “Cinderella”. Through mining the dark and demented heart of fairytales, Blichfeldt switches the story’s focus to ugly stepsister Elvira (Lea Myren), who goes to ever-more extreme — and grotesque — lengths in the pursuit of beauty. 

In his review, Euronews Culture’s sinema critic David Mouriquand said: “Rare are debut films so ambitious, bold and confidently executed, heralding a new and fully-formed cinematic voice we can’t wait to hear more from.” Check out our exclusive interview with Blichfeldt here. 

The Accountant 2

Where: European cinemas

When: 25 April

Ben Affleck is back as Christian Wolff, an autistic accountant with a brilliant mind and bad-ass streak who launders money for criminals. The sequel to 2016’s original, it centres around a suspicious murder that Treasury Agent Marybeth Medina (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) tasks Wolff with solving. Working alongside his brother Braxton (Jon Bernthal), the search for truth leads them into increasingly dangerous territory…. If only doing tax returns could be so thrilling.

Television

Andor

Where: Disney+

When: 22 April

The final season of Disney’s popular Star Wars spin-off concludes its origin story of Rebel Alliance founder Cassian Andor (Diego Luna). Beginning a year out from the death of his adoptive mother, Andor is more determined than ever to thwart the Galactic Empire’s evil plans — joining forces with Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård) and Bix Caleen (Adria Arjona). Spanning the years approaching the events of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, it will be released in four three-episode weekly batches.

Music

Shaboozey: Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going: The Complete Edition

When: 25 April 

A year on from its release, and we’re still non-stop humming Shaboozey’s ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy)’. Uplifting and addictively simple, its artful blend of country music and hip-hop went viral on social media, earning five Grammy nominations and launching the American singer-songwriter to mainstream fame. Now, he’s releasing an extended version of the album that brought this breakthrough, adding six new tracks that include the already-released ‘Good News’ and Myles Smith collaboration ‘Blink Twice’. Tipsy with anticipation?