September has arrived, and with it a rich array of cultural events across Europe. From a historic loan that brings the Bayeux Tapestry to British shores for the first time in almost 1,000 years, to a Berlin retrospective of one of contemporary art's most provocative figures, and the long-awaited sequel to a beloved witchy classic, there is plenty to tempt you out of the summer lull.
Maurizio Cattelan: mischief and meaning in Berlin
Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan has built a career on unsettling the art world. His duct-taped banana, a kneeling Hitler in miniature, and a fully functional 18-karat gold toilet installed at the Guggenheim have all sparked debate. But beneath the provocation lies a consistent exploration of innocence and violence, and how we reconcile personal identity with the weight of historical memory.
The Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin is now hosting a major exhibition dedicated to Cattelan, running from 10 September to 7 March 2027. It brings together some of his most iconic works alongside new commissions that have never been seen before. Visitors can expect the unexpected, as Cattelan continues to challenge our assumptions about art, morality, and the spaces we share.
For those who want to dig deeper into the themes of memory and preservation, a recent portrait of Angela Merkel at Berlin's Bode Museum has been drawing nostalgic crowds, offering a different kind of historical reflection.
The Bayeux Tapestry crosses the Channel
One of the most significant loans in museum history is now on view at the British Museum in London. The Bayeux Tapestry, an embroidered cloth nearly 70 metres long that narrates the events leading up to the Battle of Hastings in 1066, has left France for the first time in almost a millennium. It was commissioned by Bishop Odo of Bayeux and has never been exhibited in Britain since its creation.
The unprecedented agreement between France and the UK has made this possible, and the tapestry will remain on display until 11 July 2027. The transport and exhibition are estimated to have cost around €20 million, but early ticket sales suggest the investment is paying off. For history enthusiasts, this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see a masterpiece that shaped the course of English and European history.
While in London, visitors might also be interested in the Science Museum's attempt to set a Vulcan salute world record on Star Trek Day, a lighter but equally engaging cultural event.
Practical Magic returns to the big screen
For those who prefer their autumn with a side of nostalgia, Practical Magic 2 arrives in cinemas on 11 September. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman reprise their roles as the Owens sisters, whose family curse condemns any man they love to an untimely death. The sequel picks up years later, as Sally's daughters grapple with the curse's resurgence and their own emerging powers.
Based on Alice Hoffman's The Book of Magic, the film taps into that cozy, candlelit aesthetic that made the 1998 original a cult favourite among millennials. It promises suburban streets, black cats, and a world where whimsy and female agency take centre stage.
Netflix's Crew Girl: teen drama for cooler nights
Netflix is also getting into the autumn spirit with Crew Girl, a sports drama that premieres on 10 September. The series follows Teagan Tao (Miku Martineau), a teenage elite rower who moves to a small town after a family scandal. She joins an all-boys varsity crew as their coxswain, navigating outsider status, school rivalries, and the complexities of grief.
With echoes of late-2000s teen dramas, Crew Girl is ideal binge material for those evenings when the temperature drops and the blanket comes out.
Bloc Party returns with a new album
British indie band Bloc Party releases their seventh studio album, Anatomy of a Brief Romance, on 10 September. It follows a four-and-a-half-year hiatus after the polarising Alpha Games. Frontman Kele Okereke has channelled the end of an 11-year relationship and a subsequent whirlwind romance into the album's lyrics.
Tracks like 'Coming on Strong' and 'Love Bombs' capture the highs and lows of falling for someone, from infatuation to disappointment. The album is a raw, percussive journey that will resonate with anyone who has loved and lost.
As the season shifts, Europe's cultural calendar offers something for every taste. Whether you're drawn to medieval history, contemporary art, or a bit of cinematic magic, this week's offerings are sure to leave an impression.
