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

It's almost spring and hopefully the sun is shining wherever you are - but even if not, there's hopefully plenty in this week's recommendations to brighten your days (and nights!)

From British conceptual artist Tracey Emin's raw expressions of existentialism in Italy, to late night museum visits in Brussels, a new hip-hop album by clipping., and the return of Michael Fassbender to the big screen, you could say we're blooming excited for what's ahead.

Anyway, enough Spring puns. Let's get to it, shall we?

Exhibitions

‘Roma Pittrice: Female artists at work between the 16th and 18th centuries’ 

Where: Museum of Rome at Palazzo Braschi (Rome, Italy) 

When: Until 4 May 2025 

Rome is revered for its great art, but many of its most talented female artists have been overlooked for centuries. ‘Roma Pittrice' - curated by by writer Ilaria Miarelli Mariani and art historian Raffaella Morselli, in collaboration with historian Ilaria Arcangeli - hopes to rectify this. A stunning display of 130 works, many of which have never been seen by the public before, brings attention to 56 female artists that created and studied - often with great struggle - in Rome between the 16th and 19th centuries. Their stories, much like their works, unlock an integral part of Italy's rich cultural history, never again forgotten.

'Tracey Emin: Sex and Solitude' 

Where: Palazzo Strozzi, (Florence, Italy)

When: 16 March - 20 July 2025

Turner Prize-nominated British artist Tracey Emin makes her Italian debut with an exhibition showcasing over 60 works under the themes of sex and solitude. Paintings, sculptures, photography, drawings, neon installations and more capture a raw narrative that’s both deeply personal and universally tangible, bringing to light reflections on desire, vulnerability, love and loss. Renowned for her ability to produce audacious art that confronts the very ugliest remnants of existence, Emin’s career has been shaped by an honesty that is both sad and beautiful - but always mesmerising to behold. 

'Art is in the Street' 

Where: Musée d'Orsay (Paris, France)

When: 18 March - 6 July 2025 

A defining aesthetic of the Belle Époque, illustrated posters were more than just advertisements for theatre and products; they revolutionised the public’s relationship with art through accessibility. Paris’ Musée d'Orsay, in collaboration with the Bibliothèque nationale de France, have brought together over 300 of these original works to spotlight the social phenomenon, including masters of the craft such as Chéret, Bonnard, Grasset and Toulouse-Lautrec. It’s a fascinating dive into the history, development and impact of a culture shifting medium that’s now synonymous with the ambience of Parisian culture.

Events

St. Patrick's Festival

Where: kilkenny, Ireland

When: 14 - 17 March 2025 

Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona duit (Happy St. Patrick's Day)! Well, almost. The annual holiday in honour of the Patron Saint Of Ireland officially takes place 17 March, but celebrations begin from Friday as shamrock-decorated revelers take to their local Irish drinking establishments for a pint (or three) of Guinness and communal merriment. While places all over the world take part, the festivities within Ireland itself can’t be beaten - especially the city of Kilkenny, where costumed musicians, artists, performers and more enliven the medieval streets with creativity and charming hubbub. It’s also the perfect opportunity to fully embrace the beauty and breadth of authentic Irish culture. 

Nocturnes 

Where: Brussels, Belgium 

When: 13 March - 24 April 2025 

Twit twoo, night owls - Brussels is calling. Returning for its 24th edition, the annual Nocturnes event awakens the city’s cultural gems for visitors to explore after hours. Not only handy for those that usually struggle to make events during the work week, it also provides a uniquely intimate ambience through the secrecy of nightfall. Many of Brussels' museums take part, staying open until 10pm. It’s the opportunity to explore educational spaces in a new light, and a vibrant tribute to cultural heritage. Find the full list of participating venues here. 

Movies

Black Bag 

Where: European cinemas 

When: 14 March 

When your entire identity is defined by secrecy, how can you trust anything - or anyone? This philosophical quandary sets the pulse for Steven Soderbergh’s new erotic thriller, starring Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett as married spies whose relationship takes a turn after Blanchett’s character becomes the prime suspect in a plot against the UK. True to Soderbergh’s style, it’s slick, sexy and strongly character driven, exploring betrayal and the limitations of loyalty.  

The Ugly Stepsister 

Where: Norwegian cinemas (and theatres near you soon)

When: Now 

One of our Top Ten Films at this year’s Berlinale, this sinister re-telling of Cinderella focuses on the perspective of the princess’s stepsister via a gruesome deconstruction of fairy tale values and female beauty standards. In a similar vein to Coralie Fargeat’s body horror hit The Substance, it’s a no holds barred squirm fest, including feet mutilation, eye surgery and the ingestion (and excretion) of tapeworms. In his review, Euronews Culture’s resident film critic David Mouriquand called it “a fully-formed triumph that heralds a bold and ambitious new cinematic voice”. We also had the pleasure of interviewing its director, Emilie Blichfeldt, whose fascinating insights you can read here. 

Television

Adolescence

When: 13 March

Where: Netflix

Anything starring Stephen Graham (Boiling Point, This is England) is sure to be gritty, compelling and absolutely nerve shredding. This new four-part series stars the actor - who also co-wrote it with Jack Thorne - as a dad whose teenage son (Owen Cooper) is accused of murdering a school friend. Much like Boiling Point, every episode was filmed in one long continuous shot, offering no reprieve from its sense of all-consuming panic and claustrophobic tension. While admittedly not one to wind down to after a long day, it's powerful viewing with incredible performances that tackle the insidious societal issues affecting young men.

Music

clipping.: Dead Channel Sky

When: 14 March 

American experimental hip-hop band clipping. are due to return with their fifth full-length album, a follow-up to 2020's darkly conceptual 'Visions of Bodies Being Burned'. Early release singles like 'Change the Channel' suggest ear-drum dizzying sonic bedlam ahead, the band taking inspiration from William Gibson's sci-fi novel "Neuromancer" in a collection set to be imbued with fizzling dystopic, cyberpunk vibes. Stay tuned for our full review on Friday (14 March). In the meantime, check out our interview with clipping. for their previous album.

Album anniversaries: March 2025

...And finally, what better way to begin the week than with a re-visit (or discovery) of some brilliant albums. Every month we handpick a trio celebrating milestone anniversaries, with March featuring a modern hip-hop masterpiece, Canada’s greatest export since maple syrup and some UK dancehall-grime-funk. Grab your headphones, settle in, and find out more here.