culture

Notre-Dame’s Twin Towers Reopen: A New Chapter in Parisian Heritage

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday reopened the two great medieval towers of the Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris for public visits, one of the final steps in its immense reconstruction following a devastating fire. The inauguration of the restored towers by Macron, who has spearheaded reconstruction efforts since the April 15, 2019 fire, ...

Netflix Bets on Spain to Repeat Money Heist Magic

In a cavernous studio outside Madrid teeming with TV industry stars, Netflix is blending old knowledge with modern technology to try to concoct a successor to its global hit Money Heist. The dystopia Billionaires' Bunker, to be released on Friday and set in a gigantic underground fortress offering gyms, a garden and a fancy restaurant, is the US ...

Tim Burton and Monica Bellucci Announce Their Separation

The glamorous couple, who had captured international attention with their romance, confirmed on Friday that they are parting ways. The announcement came via a heartfelt joint statement sent to the Agence France-Presse (AFP). "It is with great respect and mutual affection that Monica Bellucci and Tim Burton have decided to separate," read the ...

Sagrada Familia to Complete Tallest Tower by 2026 for Gaudí Centenary

Barcelona's Sagrada Familia basilica expects to complete its tallest tower in time for the 2026 centenary of the death of its architect Antoni Gaudi, organizers said on Thursday. The construction board has invited Pope Leo XIV to preside over a solemn mass on June 10, marking 100 years since the architect's death after being struck by a ...

The Controversy and Potential Behind Jaden Smith’s Rise at Christian Louboutin

French fashion icon Christian Louboutin's decision to name Will Smith's son Jaden as his chief menswear designer is a bold choice that took the industry by surprise, and stirred up fresh allegations of "nepo-baby" favoritism. When not following in the footsteps of his famous father into acting and rap music, 27-year-old Smith ...

London Fashion Week Kicks Off with Bold Plans to Boost British Creativity

London Fashion Week, which is under new leadership after 16 years, opens Thursday with hopes of reinvigorating its runway schedule and easing the financial woes of its young designers. "This season marks... the beginning of a new era for British fashion," said Laura Weir, former creative director of luxury department store Selfridges, who ...

Picasso’s Hidden Portrait of Dora Maar to Go Under the Hammer in Paris

A previously unknown portrait by Pablo Picasso of one his lovers was unveiled at a Paris auction house on Thursday after being put up for sale by its owners. Entitled Bust of a woman with a flowery hat, it depicts Dora Maar, a French photographer, painter and poet who was Picasso's best-known muse. Painted with oil, the colorful work measuring ...

'Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale' — A Farewell Fit for Royalty

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale marks the end of an era for one of Britain’s most iconic series. Directed by Simon Curtis and written by series creator Julian Fellowes, this third and final film revisits the beloved Crawley family and their loyal staff, taking audiences back to the stunning Highclere Castle one last time. Set in the 1930s, the ...

France Launches Appeal to Acquire Proust’s ‘Madeleine’ Writings

France's National Library launched a public appeal for donations on Wednesday to acquire hundreds of unpublished documents belonging to Marcel Proust, including some showing how the famed writer settled on one of his most famous lines. Some of the roughly 900 documents were put up for show by the auction house Sotheby's on Wednesday morning and ...

Robert Redford’s Sundance Vision Shaped Generations of Filmmakers

Robert Redford was rarely spotted at Sundance in his final years, yet the late Hollywood legend forever looms large at the influential US movie festival he co-created. Set up in the 1980s to support creative, independent directors at a time when the blockbuster era launched by Jaws and Star Wars held sway over Hollywood, Sundance is for many ...

Downton Abbey Auction Raises Millions, Shatters Expectations Worldwide

Props, costumes and other items from the hit TV series Downton Abbey sold for £1.7 million ($2.3 million) at a London auction, six times the pre-sale estimate, Bonhams revealed Tuesday. The "bell wall", the servant's call system that appears from the first series to the last, proved to be the prize item, selling for an eye-watering £216,300 ...