By Tomas Horak
Prague-based culture writer covering literature, film festivals, food and the everyday of European cities.
Maggie Gyllenhaal to Lead Venice Film Festival Jury in 2026
Maggie Gyllenhaal has been named president of the international jury for the 83rd Venice Film Festival. She becomes the third woman to hold
Jackson Family and Biopic Stars Defend 'Michael' Amid Critical Backlash
The Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael' opens in European theatres to poor reviews, accused of sanitizing the singer's life. Family members and
Mexico-Spain Art Dispute: Frida Kahlo Works at Center of Heritage Row
Nearly 400 Mexican artists and scholars protest the transfer of 18 Frida Kahlo works to Spain, citing legal loopholes. The Mexican governmen
Francophonie Spring Festival Expands Cultural Ties Between Europe and Central Asia
The 16th edition of Francophonie Spring took place across seven Kazakh cities, featuring films, concerts, and exhibitions. The festival refl
Sophie Hughes on the Art and Politics of Literary Translation
Translator Sophie Hughes, a 2026 International Booker Prize judge, argues that translation is a creative act of interpretation, not mere sub
Meryl Streep Champions LGBTQ+ Influence in Fashion Ahead of 'Devil Wears Prada 2'
Meryl Streep, returning as Miranda Priestly, highlights the LGBTQ+ community's role in fashion. The actress has long been a vocal ally, advo
Italy Faces Growing Calls to Cancel Kanye West Concert After European Rejections
Kanye West's European tour faces mounting opposition as Italy becomes the latest battleground. The UK, France, Poland, and Switzerland have
Vespa at 80: How a Post-War Italian Scooter Became a Global Icon
Patented in Florence on 23 April 1946, the Vespa revolutionised two-wheeled mobility with a design born from a hatred of motorbikes. It beca
Russia's Largest Publisher Faces 'LGBT Extremism' Probe Over Teen Literature
Russia's leading publisher, Eksmo, is under criminal investigation for 'LGBT extremism' related to books from its now-closed Popcorn Books i
Marseille's 'Final Rave' Protests French Crackdown on Free Parties
A 'final rave' in Marseille marked opposition to a new French law imposing six-month prison sentences and €30,000 fines for organisers of la
Michael Jackson Biopic 'Michael' Criticised as a Sanitised, Estate-Controlled Hagiography
The official Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael' has been released to scathing reviews. Critics condemn the film as a sanitised, estate-control
Cannes 2026 Poster Pays Homage to Feminist Classic 'Thelma & Louise'
The Cannes Film Festival's official poster for its 79th edition in 2026 honours Ridley Scott's 1991 feminist road movie 'Thelma & Louise'. T