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

Last week, Taylor Swift announced her upcoming album 'The Life of a Showgirl', because she's nothing if not prolific!

The news has (of course) consumed online discourse, with fans excited - but also a little sceptical. As Euronews Culture writer (and dedicated Swifty) Sarah Miansoni writes: "I had barely had any time to recover from Swift’s last album, the gargantuan ‘The Tortured Poets Department’, and from the equally massive Eras Tour, and it was already time to dive into a new era? What if I wasn’t ready for it?"

We've still got a while to wait for its release on 3 October, and in the meantime - before more companies get in on the Swift marketing action and August slips away without an official Song of the Summer - there's plenty else to look forward to.

From a fascinating exhibition exploring patient's dreams and nightmares at England's oldest psychiatric hospital, to Julia Ducournau’s highly-anticipated new body horror 'Alpha', and a second season of James Gunn's Peacemaker - here are this week's highlights.

Exhibitions

Between Sleeping and Waking: Hospital Dreams and Visions

Where: Bethlem Museum of the Mind (London, UK)

When: Until 22 November 2025

England's oldest psychiatric hospital is exhibiting never-before-displayed creations by its patients. First opened in 1403, Bethlem Royal Hospital has become a site of enduring fascination, famously inspiring the 1946 horror film Bedlam starring Boris Karloff. Its dark history has become a lens through which people continue to examine societal perceptions of mental health - and the blurred lines between reality and illusions. 

It’s this idea of a psychological limbo state that dominates 'Sleeping and Waking', with an immersive installation by artist Kate McDonnell at its heart; capturing visions of a disconnected mind. Haunting and captivating, visitors will find themselves transported to other worlds that feel both far removed, and resonant. 

Anne Geddes: Until Now

Where: Art 28, Neues Kunstmuseum Tübingen (Tübingen, Germany)

When: Until 21 September

With her sweet and whimsical images of babies dressed as sunflowers and bumblebees, Australian photographer Anne Geddes' work became a hallmark of the '90s and early '00s. Used in cards, books and calendars, they're instantly recognisable to those that grew up with them. It's about time, then, that she had her first retrospective. Titled after her book of the same name, Until Now showcases 150 of Geddes images at the New Art Museum in Tübingen, including the identical triplets slumbering in a man's hands - still one of her most iconic.

Saved Treasures of Gaza 

Where: The Institut du Monde Arabe (Paris, France)

When: Until 2 November 2025

Documenting over 5,000 years of Gaza's cultural and archeological history, 'Saved Treasures of Gaza' is a powerful reminder of what has been and what's at stake for a country currently facing war and famine. From the small marble statue of a goddess, to the astonishing Abu Baraqeh mosaic, most of the 130 masterpieces on show have been kept in storage at the Geneva Museum of Art and History until now, unable to be returned to Gaza due to the unsafe conditions. Safely preserved, they now act as vessels for Palestine's richly storied identity - a way to connect people to the past, and reinforce hope for the future.

Bonus highlight: To celebrate the 250th birthday of the celebrated ‘Pride and Prejudice’ author, Jane Austen’s House is hosting “Austenmania!” until 4 January 2026 (Hampshire, UK).  

Movies

Alpha 

Where: French cinemas

When: 20 August 

After winning the Palme d'or in 2021 for her body horror triumph Titane, anticipation has been - excuse the pun - revving up for Julia Ducournau’s third feature. Having premiered at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, Alpha is set amidst the ‘80s AIDS epidemic, following a young girl (Alia Bhatt) who is feared to have contracted the disease after getting a tattoo. Infused with the gnawing paranoia and anxiety that’s become a trademark of Ducournau’s works, it’s proven divisive with critics so far - but is guaranteed to get under your skin. Stay tuned for our full review on Friday. 

Bonus highlight: Ari Aster’s neo-Western satire Eddington arrives in UK cinemas on the 22 August, with a staggered release across other European countries to follow. Read our review here. And if you haven't caught up on two of this summer's biggest horror hits, Weapons and Together are still in cinemas. Don't miss out.

TV series

Peacemaker Season 2

Where: Sky Max and NOW

When: 22 August

Is this a James Gunn summer? Fresh off his box office success with Superman, the filmmaker and co-CEO of DC Studios has gifted us a second series of his hit show Peacemaker. Part of Gunn's wider vision for rebooting the DC Universe, it's a continuation of the story of Christopher Smith (John Cena), a special-trained operative who will do anything - and kill anyone - in his quest for peace. We can expect cameos from other DC characters, including Superman and Hawkgirl, as the new era of DC ramps up its expansion.

Bonus highlight: The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox, a miniseries based on the story of Knox’s wrongful conviction in 2007, streams from 20 August (Disney+).

Music

Wolf Alice: The Clearing

When: 22 August 

Four long years since their last album, 'Blue Weekend', British alt-rock band Wolf Alice are returning with a highly-anticipated fourth studio release. From the psychedelic shimmers of 'White Horses' to the soothing melodrama of 'The Sofa', its singles so far suggest we're in for a collection that's soulful and nostalgic, textured with 70s influences like George Harrison, while still grounded in contemporary reflections.

Bonus highlight: Canadian folk musician Kathleen Edwards returns with her sixth studio album, ‘Billionaire’, on 22 August.