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

Welcome back for another week of recommendations.

As expected, the cultural news has been completely dominated by Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's engagement - which got us thinking about rings.

From Twin Peaks' Owl Cave ring, to Elvis Presley's gaudy TCB ring - pop culture is filled with storied digit dazzlers. Our writer David Mouriquand painstakingly put together a list of some of the most iconic, which also serves as a helpful reminder of must-watch movies and TV series!

And just to milk the topic a little more, let us now propose to you... some upcoming highlights. Enjoy!

Exhibitions

Permindar Kaur: 'Mirror, Mirror'

Where: Pizthanger Abbey (London, UK)

When: Until 21 September 2025

British visual artist Permindar Kaur has always drawn on the domestic scenery of her life, utilising familiar objects to create distorted visions of structure and safety. Her latest exhibition, 'Mirror, Mirror', features colourful toys with hedgehog-like spikes, and a room full of black steel beds haunted by a washing line of colourful clothes. Nostalgic and unnerving, everything is defined by a contrast that encourages reflections on self-perception and how others see us. Kaur's works also exists in dialogue with Sir John Soane's beautiful Neo-Classical architecture, the strange shadows and soft textures of her works blurring the boundaries between time and class. Don't sleep on this one - it's ending soon (and those bed frames aren't for use either!)

RendezVous: Brussels Art Week

Where: Brussels, Belgium 

When: 4 - 7 September 2025

Following a soft launch last year, 2025 marks the first full length edition of Brussels Art Week. Known as 'RendezVous', it's a citywide initiative that brings contemporary artists, art institutions and initiatives together in a four-day celebration of Brussels' uniquely vibrant and diverse creative offerings. There are 64 venues taking part in total, with British artist Zoe Williams' dive bar-inspired 'The Tip Inn' serving as a central hub for performances, talks, and reconvening with friends to take stock of what you've seen. Not only is it an opportunity to connect with the city and other art lovers - there's also music and dancing.

Take a look at the event's line-up here.

Bonus highlight: German artist Wolfgang Tillmans' exhibition 'Nothing could have prepared us - Everything could have prepared us' ends this month - see it at the Centre Pompidou until 22 September (Paris, France). 

Movies

Sentimental Value

Where: Select cinemas

When: Out now in France, with a wider European release to follow

The Worst Person in the World (2021) was a mesmerising meditation on existential anxiety that left anticipations sky high for Norwegian director Joachim Trier's follow-up. A family drama, Sentimental Value explores the complex relationship between an estranged showbiz father (Stellan Skarsgård) and his two daughters, Nora (Renate Reinsve) and Agnes (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas). Guided by a slow tenderness that unravels its characters’ inner worlds, the movie proved a hit at this year’s Cannes, where it won the prestigious Grand Prix.

Bonus highlight: The fourth film in the popular supernatural horror series (and 9th in the wider Conjuring Universe), The Conjuring: Last Rites is out 5 September.

TV series

The Paper 

Where: Sky Max

When: 5 September 

Few US re-makes of popular British comedies have had the same success as The Office, which was the most-streamed show of 2020 across all platforms, according to Nielsen Analytics. A spin-off sounds pretty good on paper, then! (Ba boom tish). In this familiarly styled mockumentary, the camera crew that followed Dunder Middlin’s shenanigans have turned their attention to a struggling Midwestern newspaper called The Truth-Teller. Starring Domhall Gleeson as Ned Sampson, the naïvely optimistic new editor-in-chief - much to editor Esmeralda Grand’s (Sabrina Impacciatore) chagrin - fans of the original will also be pleased to see beloved old faces like Oscar Martinez (Oscar Nuñez). 

Bonus highlight: Task, a detective series from the creator of Mare of Easttown and starring Mark Ruffalo, streams on Sky Atlantic and HBO Max from 8 September. 

Music

David Byrne: Who Is the Sky?

When: 5 September 

Talking Heads frontman and all-around legend David Byrne is set to release his 11th solo studio album this week: ‘Who is the Sky?’. Produced by the award-winning British songwriter Kid Harpoon, it will include collaborations with everyone from St. Vincent to Hayley Williams of Paramore and The Smile's Tom Skinner. Byrne began brainstorming his tracks during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the closure of the world encouraging deeper reflections about his life's decisions. Such existential pondering is the thorough line, made joyful through Byrne’s trademark jittery energy in lead single ‘Everybody Laughs’. 

Jazz à la Villette

Where: Paris, France

When: Until 7 September 2025 

Paris is about to get very jazzy. One of the city's most exciting music events, Jazz à la Villette takes place in Parc de la Villette annually and includes an eclectic line-up of jazz, funk and hip-hop artists. From Jalen Ngonda to Shabaka and American DJ Jeff "the wizard" Mills, some of the world's greatest music talents are in attendance, providing all the vibes needed for closing out the summer in style. Alongside the main concerts, visitors will find film screenings, exhibitions, talks, and a special jazz program tailored to children. See the full line-up here.

Bonus highlights: Max Richter, Louisa Fuller & Max Ruisi release ‘Sleep Circle’ on 4 September, while Big Thief’s ‘Double Infinity’ and Suede’s ‘Antidepressants’ are out on 5 September. (It’s a big time of year for notable music releases!)