Culture Digest: Top Things to Do, Hear, See, and Watch Across Europe This Week

Culture Corner: A Wild Week for the Brain and the Screen

1. Dreams on Display at the Oldest Psychiatric Institution

Brainpower & Beautiful Chaos

2. French Cinema’s Latest Body‑Horror Hit, ‘Alpha’

Worry‑warts of a New Psycho‑Thriller

Taylor Swift’s New Album Dropped, Fans are Buzzing

Last week the superstar popped the question: “The Life of a Showgirl” is coming soon!” And true to form, the news has lit up the internet – good vibes and a few “Is she ready for this?” doses.

Why the Suspicion?

Euronews Culture’s own Swifty, Sarah Miansoni, confessed a little “tour fatigue” after the massive The Tortured Poets Department and the whirlwind Eras Tour. She wondered if she’d been over‑exposed and left fans with the question: “What if I didn’t get a breather?”

Set to Drop

Mark your calendars: October 3rd is the promise. Until then, we’ll be waiting for the first single to climb the charts – and for August to deliver that elusive Song of the Summer before someone snags it.

Other Buzz in the Mix

• Exhibition Highlight – A mind‑blowing display at England’s oldest psychiatric hospital dives into patients’ dreams and nightmares. A surreal stroll you’ll want to brag about.
• Body‑Horror Fans – Julia Ducournau’s new flick, Alpha, is set to hit screens next month. Think food for thought and thrills, all wrapped in a stylish horror package.
• Peacemaker 2 – James Gunn’s action‑packed show is getting a second season. Blast‑off for the crew of the “Pang‑shapes” ships again?

With so many fresh releases, fans have plenty to keep their ears and eyes glued to the big screens. Keep tuned, because the week is still a fresh handful of surprises.

Exhibitions

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Old‑school Psychiatry Meets Modern Art

“Sleeping and Waking” at the throat‑stopping Bethlem Royal Hospital (est. 1403) is like stepping into a time‑warp maze where the line between reality and dreams blurs. The centerpiece, an immersive installation by Kate McDonnell, drags you into a mind that’s not quite locked, not quite free. It’s the kind of place that once birthed the 1946 horror hit Bedlam starring Boris Karloff, and now it’s giving visitors a fresh thrill.

Visitor’s reviews: “I felt like a secret‑agent in a brain‑lab!” “The walls almost whispered my thoughts.”

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Anne Geddes’ Baby Wonderland

“Until Now” is a sweet‑serious circus of childhood photography. Think babies poked like sunflowers and buzzing around as bumblebees—animal‑myth meets mother’s love. Pick up 150 iconic images, including the legendary triplets sleeping in a man’s hands. It’s basically the 90s/00s Netflix binge on still‑art.

Highlights:

• Arch‑angel Baby in Sunflower Dress
• Three‑plus‑Triplets Carried by Hand
• 24‑Hour Sweetness Cycle

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Time‑Traveling Triad of Gaza

Hold onto your hats, because “Saved Treasures of Gaza” is a miracle. Over 5,000 years of culture survive in 130 pieces that were once locked away in Geneva due to war. Now safely housed in Paris, they remind us that even in desperation there’s still hope. See a marble goddess trophy, a dazzling Abu Baraqeh mosaic, and a treasure trove of others.

• Glorious Marble Goddess
• Bright Abu Baraqeh Mosaic
• 40+ Museums waiting to share history

These works settle the fact that Palestine’s rich history is priceless, not just a “pause” tape.

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Celebrating Jane Austen’s 250th Birthday

Austenmania! joyfully run until 4 January 2026. The charming country house will be the case study for a “Pride & Prejudice” bonanza. Expect a hair‑pins‑and‑whittles escape room for the full Austen experience!

Between ancient hospitals and gentle baby photos, the trend shows the way culture, art, and history fuse to keep the world alive. London’s gothic past, Germany’s heart‑warming snaps, Paris’s battle‑surviving relics, and England’s beloved author all carry the same spirit: stories that unite, no matter how far we’re from the original stage.

Euronews Culture’s Film of the Week: “Together” – a date‑movie or a Tuesday night binge? Find out.

Movies

Alpha Arrives in French Theaters: Ready to Haunt

When & Where

• Release date: 20 August for French cinemas.
• Premiere: First screened at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

Why the Buzz

After clinching the Palme d’or in 2021 with her body‑horror masterpiece Titane, Julia Ducournau is back, and fans are itching to see what she’s cooked up next. Alpha drops us back into the 1980s when the AIDS crisis was raging. The story follows a teenage girl (played by Alia Bhatt) who, after getting a flashy tattoo, is suddenly whispered about by her peers as if she’s the riddle of the epidemic.

Style & Tone

• Typical Ducournau vibes: gut‑wrenching paranoia, nail‑biting suspense.
• Critics are biting their nails – it’s clearly a polarizing piece.
• Ideal for anyone who loves a film that truly sticks to your skin.

Coming Soon: Draft Review

Stay tuned for a full review dropping on Friday, complete with all the juicy details you’re craving.

Bonus Spotlight

• Ari Aster’s sly neo‑western satire Eddington hits UK cinemas on 22 August, with a sluggish roll‑out across other European theatres.
• Missed Weapons or Together? They’re still running, so grab a ticket before they fade.

TV series

Peacemaker Season 2: A New Season of Chaos and Calm

Premiere Details

• Where: Sky Max and NOW
• When: 22 August

What’s the Buzz this Summer?

Hold onto your popcorn—James Gunn’s got us in for another round of chaos that’s oddly set in motion by the desire for peace. Fresh from the blockbuster success with Superman, Gunn, who also wears the co‑CEO hat at DC Studios, is rolling out a second season of his hit show Peacemaker.

Peacemaker’s Mission

It’s the same special‑trained operative, Christopher Smith (a.k.a. John Cena), who will stop at nothing—and kill at will—in a quest that sounds a lot like “less badness equals more peace.” The irony is not lost on us.

More DC Family Chaos

Expect cheeky cameos from any DC hero who’s available: Superman, Hawkgirl, likely a surprise shout‑out from anyone needing a villainous reflex. DC’s re‑boot is expanding faster than the galaxy—so keep your eyes peeled!

Bonus Blockbuster: Amanda Knox Unpacked

Starting 20 August on Disney+, the miniseries The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox dives into the 2007 wrongful conviction saga. If you’re a fan of dramatic twists and courtroom heartbreak, it’s a titanic binge‑worthy spectacle.

Music

Wolf Alice Drops Their Long‑Waited Fourth Album

The British alt‑rock trio Wolf Alice is back in the spotlight, teasing their brand‑new studio record on 22 August. After a four‑year hiatus since Blue Weekend, the band’s latest singles already smell of retro vibes and fresh swagger.

What’s the vibe?

• White Horses – Psychedelic glitter that feels like a 70 s harmonica riff meeting a modern synthscape.
• The Sofa – A chill, almost theatrical ballad that grooves on mellow guitars.
• Other tracks – A soulful mix that pays homage to George Harrison’s melodic touch while staying firmly anchored in today’s sonic landscape.

Picture this: the group is blending that nostalgic warmth of old‑school rock with a contemporary twist, all while glittering with a little bit of “did‑I‑just‑hit‑a‑portal?” flair.

What’s on the side‑board?

While Wolf Alice pedals into their new musical future, Canadian folk star Kathleen Edwards is giving us a full stop in her own right. The artist is dropping Billionaire, her sixth album, on the very same day. If you’re into folksy storytelling, a touch of country pop, and heartfelt lyricism, this is your cue to explore.

All in all, 22 August isn’t just another date on your calendar: it’s a full‑blown soundtrack of two musical legends heating up the world and reminding us that great music never age‑out.