Edmund de Waal: A man of letters
After the success of The Hare with Amber Eyes, potter and writer Edmund de Waal returns with an exhibition and book of fictional letters about a journey through grief.
Today’s highlights
Céline Sciamma: The world’s most important film-maker
When it comes to becoming an icon to a new generation of moviegoers, Céline Sciamma has been there, done that.. and inspired the t-shirt.
Does football need a dictator?
The Football Association lost influence over the sport when it ceded power to the Premier League in 1992. Now, ROB HUGHES asks who owns football?
Art
Amrita Sher-Gil: The painter whose greatest critic was herself
In was in her art that she truly lost herself, but this didn’t stop Amrita Sher-Gil from finding fault with her work.
Edmund de Waal: A man of letters
After the success of The Hare with Amber Eyes, potter and writer Edmund de Waal returns with an exhibition and book of fictional letters about a journey through grief.
The art that restores faith in Palermo
The Sicilian city is putting its mafia controlled past behind it and forging a new reputation for art and integration.
Welcome to a dystopian world where art goes to hell
A new exhibition of works by Pablo Bronstein couldn’t be more apt, as it reveals the ecological cost of material gratification.
Remember me: An exhibition to show the selfies of days gone by
A new exhibition of portrait paintings at the Rijksmuseum in
Amsterdam shows how Renaissance artists captured their subjects almost
as clearly as we can on our phones today.
Not Without My Ghosts: The art exhibition that you shouldn’t ghost
At its 19th century peak, spiritualism
had eight million followers in Europe
and the USA. The movement might not have stood the test of time, but the art it produced will.
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Books
The greatest characters in European literature
CHARLIE CONNELLY comes up with the first half of his rundown of the top 20.
Book tokenism? No, women are finally getting the rewards they deserve
CHARLIE CONNELLY on the truth behind a ludicrous “woke” controversy over the Costa book awards.
America’s book banning fever is approaching Fahrenheit 451
CHARLIE CONNELLY on new efforts by the US right to burn or ban books they consider dangerous.
Jenny Erpenbeck: A German voice from the East
CHARLIE CONNELLY on the German
writer Jenny Erpenbeck, one of Europe’s greatest literary talents and most astute observers of her country’s recent past and present… even if she did sleep through the fall of the Berlin Wall.
This year’s Booker Prize awards were filled with snobs, sauvignon, and safe bets
The recently awarded Booker Prize is a very far cry from the early days of the competition.
Billy Wilder before he liked it hot
Before he got to Hollywood the filmmaker worked as a journalist in his native Europe. A new book tries to draw the links between his two careers.
Music
Centuries later, Danish music is bringing Swedish witchcraft to life
Volbeat’s Lasses Birgitta tells the story of a woman, who became one of many, executed for witchcraft in the Swedish island of Öland, over 450 years ago.
Everyday Philosophy: What John Stuart Mill would think about freeing Britney and Brexit
Britney may finally be free – even to marry Sam Asghari – sadly, the same can’t be said of the UK.
It’s, sadly, time for European music tours to have their swansong
Ultravox sung about Vienna, Freddie Mercury duetted with Montserrat Caballe on Barcelona and The Stranglers told us all roads lead to Rome but Suede’s Europe is Our Playground couldn’t be more wrong today
How Ancient Rome hit the charts
Composer and academic Mary Ann Tedstone Glover has brought the music of the Roman empire back to life.
The rappers of Russia and their politics
Russian rap no longer acts purely as social commentary, but reflects a money-obsessed society in turmoil.
For Matthieu Chedid, music runs in the family
Chedid, known by his rocker alter ego -M- is part of a French musical dynasty that shows no signs of stopping.
Film
Céline Sciamma: The world’s most important film-maker
When it comes to becoming an icon to a new generation of moviegoers, Céline Sciamma has been there, done that.. and inspired the t-shirt.
Was a CIA operative the vital piece in the Kennedy puzzle?
He was a Russian nobleman. He was a secret agent. And his best friend was Lee Harvey Oswald. Meet George de Mohrenschildt.
Arsene Wenger: The invincible man
A new documentary about the former Arsenal manager reveals a man still in love with the club, but also still heartbroken by it.
Multicultural Man: On prejudices
WILL SELF on confirmation bias and its role in culture and society.
Bad Luck Banging: A story of porn, privacy and the pandemic
Romanian director Radu Jude didn’t let Covid get in the way of making his latest film. In fact, he turned it to his advantage.
Netflix’s Passing: A film featuring race, rivalry and regret
The film adaptation of Nella Larsen’s novel is a sumptuous and seductive tale of segregation.
Theatre
Theatre Review: A Christmas Carol makes spirits soar this festive season
The Charles Dickens classic has been staged for the fifth time, and still speaks to modern audiences.
Theatre Review: Manor tries to achieve too much – and fails
One day, great plays will be written about far-right groups, climate change and racism, but Manor is not one of them.
Theatre Review: Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) does parody proud
This Jane Austen parody is hard to critique… as the cast has clearly predicted every criticism they could receive.
Theatre Review: The Wife of Willesden is an old wives tale with a new look
Zadie Smith’s modern, relocated take on Chaucer’s The Wife of Bath is a bold reimagining.
Theatre review: Footfalls & Rockaby is a great that can still rock you
A Samuel Beckett double-bill portrays the challenges women face across the different stages of their life with triumph.
Theatre review: The Ocean at the End of the Lane proves appearances can be effective
The show’s ending may be sloppy, yet sentimental, but it’s the production’s looks that captivates audiences.
Great European Lives
Amrita Sher-Gil: The painter whose greatest critic was herself
In was in her art that she truly lost herself, but this didn’t stop Amrita Sher-Gil from finding fault with her work.
Lotte Lenya: The free-spirited actress who perpetuated her husband’s legacy
The Austrian-American singer and actress shined on stage. But, her greatest role was a matter of the heart, and she undertook it out of obligation.
Marcel Proust: The genius writer who was a disappointing conversationalist
For all his undoubted literary genius, Marcel Proust was an underwhelming dinner guest.
Jean Sylvain Bailly: The scientific revolutionary
Even without his leading role in the French Revolution, Bailly would have been remembered as an exceptional man.
Anita Berber: The dancer who refused to shy away from taboos
She was the most Weimar of the Weimar figures, with scandal following her wherever she went.
Jenny Lind: The very modern career of a 19th century superstar
The “Swedish Nightingale” soared to fame, burned brightly, but then burned out retiring in her early thirties.