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

Autumn is almost here and we can’t wait to get cosy with a good book and long TV series.

While the days might be getting shorter, there’s certainly no shortage of ways to brighten the evenings, with exciting new exhibitions, cinematic releases, community initiatives, festivals and events that encourage eating and drinking with others.

Light some pumpkin-scented candles, pour yourself a warm cup of coffee and prepare for a new season of fascinating (and increasingly spook-tinged) suggestions.

Exhibitions

‘Hard Graft: Work, Health and Rights’ at the Wellcome Collection (London, UK)

Work is an every day part of life for most of us, but in a digital age the impact of it on our bodies has become less obvious and more sanitised. For centuries, humans have done jobs that wore away at their physical and mental health in often very disturbing ways. From the worn away hands of a washer woman to the blackened lungs of miners, this new exhibition at the Wellcome Collection lays bare the ugly truths of human labour, also confronting the subjects of slavery, migrant exploitation, and the abuse – and sometimes murder – of sex workers. It’s a no holds barred exploration of extraordinarily troubling truths about a society that has – and often continues to – use and hurt those most vulnerable under the guise of productivity.

Events and festivals

‘Open House Festival’ (London, UK)

Walking through any great city, there’s always the sense that something fascinating could be lurking behind every door. London’s Open House Festival is a snoopers dream, inviting local artists and architects to open up their homes to the public in an event that allows people to see some incredible spaces while also connecting with a sense of local community, meeting brilliant people and experiencing the visions of life they inhabit. An interactive map allows you to easily navigate where’s accessible, with highlights including a ‘Tin House’ built by architect Henning Stummel in Shepherd’s Bush and Surman Weston’s charismatically textured ‘Peckham House’. There’s also the opportunity to have guided tours around cultural landmarks (like Dalston’s iconic Rio Cinema) and take part in workshops at art studios.

This also ties in nicely with the upcoming European Heritage Days, with dozens of cultural events taking place across the continent that invite the public to learn more about everything from national monuments to rituals and traditions. 

‘Oktoberfest’ (Munich, Germany)

Get the beers in! It’s Oktoberfest – the world’s biggest folk festival that’s hosted in Munich. As previously mentioned, beer really is the focus – 5.7 million Oktoberfest attendees consumed 5.6 million litres of the stuff in 2022, reported by Eater. Beginning 21 September until 6 October, it’s a time to put on your lederhosen and dirndl, clink steins, jump on carnival rides and eat as much bratwurst sausage as humanly possible (or big pretzels for the vegetarians!)

‘World Paella Day’ (global)

As if we need any excuse to eat paella, but a dedicated day to it is always welcome. Widely considered the national dish of Spain, having originated in València, this is a global celebration of the colourful rice dish that’s usually infused with saffron, vegetables and a variety of meat or seafood. A statement from the official page reads: “This special day invites people to share and enjoy its rich tradition, strengthening ties between different cultures through a dish that transcends language and fills hearts.” So, all you have to do is go eat paella, talk about paella, maybe learn more about paella, then eat more paella? Count us in.

Movies

‘Megalopolis’

It’s almost here – Francis Ford Coppola’s self-financed $120 million passion project that was largely panned at Cannes – our film critic David Mouriquand called it a “disastrous folly” – and didn’t do itself any favours by fabricating film quotes on a trailer in a misguided attempt to present the movie as a misunderstood masterpiece in the making. Still, some say there’s no such thing as bad press and all the controversy and divisive reactions might actually do it some favours in generating a heightened curiosity. It’s certainly going to be one of the more intriguing cinema experiences of the year – will they make poor cinema staff talk to the screen like they did in one very bizarre moment at the Cannes premiere? We’d include a summary of the plot but a) we’re still not sure what it is exactly and b) it’s probably best to go in blind and embrace whatever mega madness awaits. At least Francis Ford Coppola’s five star Letterboxd review suggests he’s feeling optimistic! And if you’re curious to read how David lost his mind, here’s his full review of Megalopolis.

‘The Substance’

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Yes, we’re talking about Coralie Fargeat’s brazen body horror gem again! It’s officially out across most European cinemas from today so here’s a reminder to inject some flesh sack manifestations of female self-hatred into your weekend with this violently visceral genre movie. Aerobics star Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore) injects herself with a mysterious yellow liquid known as ‘The Substance’ with the promise of creating a younger, better, more perfect version of herself. Of course, things don’t quite go to plan, resulting in a mind (and body)-meltingly mad finale… Euronews Culture’s critic David Mouriquand called it “a deliriously visceral cautionary tale – one that reminds audiences that you are always your own worst enemy.” Read his full review here.

‘My Favourite Cake’ and ‘The Seed of the Sacred Fig’

Two years after the death of Mahsa Amini, two Iranian films which defy state censorship and expose the crimes of the Islamic State begin their European rollouts in cinemas. Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha’s My Favourite Cake and Mohammad Rasoulof’s The Seed of the Sacred Fig premiered at the Berlinale and Cannes respectively, each very different in tone but both examples of powerfully resistant and rebellious cinema that challenge oppression, misogyny and tyranny. The directors of each film have faced bans from leaving their country and prison sentences, with Rasoulof managing to clandestinely flee Iran just two weeks before his film’s premiere in Cannes. If and when you can, be sure to check them out – they’re a reminder of the power of film to fight against despotic regimes, and how privileged we are to be able to freely see such things. Read more about them here.

Television

Agatha All Along (Disney+)

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I think you know what we’re doing this weekend [insert Agatha Harkness exaggerated winking face meme]. Yes, Disney+ has just released their ‘WandaVision’ spin-off series focused on Wanda’s not-so-friendly powerful witch neighbour Agatha (Kathryn Hahn). Following on from where WandaVision left off, she’s escaped the previous series suburban town setting but also dealing with the small issue of having lost all her powers. The answer? Assembling a bad-ass witch coven with her cool teen goth friend ahead of facing some witch trials. Just like its predecessor, this is a refreshingly fun and original addition to the MCU that plays with pastiche and genre in creative ways.

Music

Manu Chao: ‘Viva Tu’, Jamie xx: ‘In Waves’ and Katy Perry:’143′

Instead of just one album suggestion this week, we’re bringing you THREE – and all are from artists on the hunt for a comeback. Manu Chao returns after a 17-year hiatus with ‘Viva Tu’; Jamie xx after 9 years with ‘In Waves’ (feat. eyeball aching cover); and Katy Perry after just four years with ‘143’. Euronews Culture’s David Mouriquand and Theo Farrant have put their eardrums on the frontline and listened to the entirety of each one – yes, even Katy Perry’s – here are their verdicts.

Also worth checking out: Bon Iver’s new song: ‘SPEYSIDE’. Justin Vernon’s first new release since ‘i,i’ in 2019, it captures his familiar moody-forest-folk-and-feels style. It’s from his upcoming EP titled ‘Sable,’ which is due out on 18 October.

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