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

As we inch towards September - and feel the occasional crisp breeze that reminds us Autumn is on its way - a rush of new exhibitions and releases has arrived just in time.

From the beachside scenes of James Hawke's geometric works, to the captivating coastal town mystery of Spanish drama Two Graves, the summer heat might be dissipating, but its intrigue still simmers in the art around us.

If you still haven't found a Song of the Summer yet, don't fret - it may soon arrive in the form of Sabrina Carpenter's new album, 'Man's Best Friend'. For a very different vibe, however, head to the 27th edition of the George Enescu International Festival 2025.

Over on the big screen is Darren Aronofsky's crime comedy Caught Stealing, starring Austin Butler, Zoë Kravitz and Matt Smith - but France-based horror fans should watch Alpha if they haven't yet.

Whatever cool things you get up to this week - let us know. And in the meantime, here's a closer look at this week's recommended highlights.

Exhibitions

Life in Transit

Where: Villa delle Peschiere (Genoa, Italy)

When: Until 21 September 2025

Reminiscent of vintage holiday postcards, British artist James Hawke's bold, blocky paintings capture the vibrant frivolity and nostalgic yearnings of poolside lounging. A playful exploration of communal leisure spaces, culture, architecture and memory, these work in dialogue with the historic location of Villa delle Peschiere - a space once rarely open to the public. Hawke's very first solo exhibition, it's a fascinating blending of time, place and ambient textures that captures and stills the essence of life's constant movements.

Millet: Life on the Land

Where: National Gallery (London, UK)

When: Until 19 October 2025

A key figure of the Realism art movement, French artist Jean-Francois Millet's raw, naturalistic depictions of peasant farmers are instantly recognisable. 150 years on from his death, London's National Gallery pays tribute through a curated collection of his most iconic works, including 'L’Angelus' (pictured above) - the overcast evening light giving pause for prayer. Even almost two centuries on, Millet's art still makes us feel as if we're inside a silent scene that's somehow familiar and detached; a humbling at the heart of every human endeavour he caught.

Bonus: Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara's cute and charismatic solo exhibition at the Hayward Gallery comes to an end soon, on 31 August (London, UK).

Movies

Caught Stealing

Where: Most European cinemas

When: 29 August 

No good deed goes unpunished - something bartender Henry (Austin Butler) quickly finds out after agreeing to watch his British punk neighbour’s (Matt Smith) cat for a few days, landing himself in a world of (ragtag gangster-frenzied) trouble. Directed by Darren Aronofsky, it's a comedic crime romp that looks set to be a lot less psychologically damaging than his previous works (phew! We're in no mood for another The Whale right now). It also features a stacked cast, including Zoë Kravitz, Regina King and Bad Bunny.

Bonus highlight: Brace for mystery and British idiosyncrasies! An adaptation of Richard Osman's bestselling book series about a group of retirees solving cold case murders, The Thursday Murder Club is sure to be pure, pre-autumn cosiness. Streaming on Netflix from 28 August.

TV series

Two Graves

Where: Netflix

When: 29 August

After two teenage girls mysteriously disappear in a small coastal town, a distraught grandmother named Isabel (Kiti Mánver) takes matters into her own hands - determined to find out the truth. Tense, compelling and unsuspectingly brutal, this Spanish crime thriller is an ideal follow-up to Netflix's recent Dept. Q (one of our favourite shows this year).

Bonus highlight: A new animated comedy series by Bojack Horseman-creator/genius Raphael Bob-Waksberg, Long Story Short is about a dysfunctional Jewish family - and now streaming on Netflix.

Music

George Enescu International Festival 2025

Where: Bucharest, Romania

When: Until 21 September 2025

One of the biggest classical music events in Eastern Europe, the George Enescu Festival (named after the acclaimed Romanian composer) returns for its 27th edition. This year's theme is 'Anniversaries / Celebrations', marking 70 years since Enescu's death through 45 performances of his works. In total, there will more than 100 concerts and 4,000 guest artists contributing both contemporary and repertory performances - alongside opera and ballet. From Berlioz's 'Symphonie fantastique' to Igor Stravinsky's 'Firebird Suite' and Richard Strauss' 'Salomé' - the programme is as eclectic and exhilarating as the music itself.

Sabrina Carpenter: Man’s Best Friend

When: 29 August 

Please, please, please: Down your espresso and let everyone know you're about to be a busy woman, because pop princess Sabrina Carpenter's new album is due out soon. Despite being shrouded in controversy due to its original cover art, anticipations remain high following the success of Carpenter's 2024 release, Short n' Sweet. If the catchiness of lead single 'Manchild' is anything to go by, we're in for a lot more cheeky, brain-loopy pop to soundtrack the last weeks of summer (this list might soon need a tweak...)

Bonus highlight: New Zealand indie rockers The Beths return with their fourth album, 'Straight Line Was a Lie', out on 29 August.