Culture

The Provocation of The Pitt

Plus: four new books to look out for, a children’s show for adults, and other culture and entertainment recommendations

‘Almost human’: life-size replicas of the dead help mend broken hearts in India

The silicone figures are a touching version of what the Hindi language calls ‘smaran’, or remembrance

‘The world’s memory’: why Nigeria is burying its history under a mountain in Svalbard

It is the first African country to deposit data in the Arctic World Archive, a storage facility designed to preserve records of everything from cultural practices to historical events

Don’t denounce Timothée Chalamet for what he said about opera and ballet – prove him wrong

For these art forms to thrive, they need to attract young people. The Oscar contender’s comments are just the conversation starter they need

America’s Stories, Through a Doll’s Eyes

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Six Books That Simply Must Be Talked About

These six books demand discussion—with a pal, a date, or a book club.

Six Bizarre Movies That Are Actually Fun to Watch

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Vladimir to Hoppers: the week in rave reviews

Rachel Weisz obsesses over Leo Woodall in an addictive new drama, while Pixar’s latest riffs on everything from Avatar to Dr Dolittle. Here’s the pick of the week’s culture, taken from the Guardian’s best-rated reviews

Why are today’s children’s books and films often so much better than adult ones?

It’s not simply that kids’ culture has improved since I was young. Across stage, screen and cinema, grownup offerings pale in comparison to those aimed at my son

‘We had no future. So we made a future for ourselves’: the untold history of Welsh reggae sound systems

A country known more for rock and choral music became a hotspot of the dub reggae sound system scene in the 70s. Rival crews recall Cardiff’s riotous parties – and racist hostility

An ugly year for the Louvre: where does the world's biggest museum go from here?

After a heist and the departure of its boss, the French institution wrestles with water leaks, strikes and much-criticised plans for a €1bn renovation

Parrtjima is a desert festival worth travelling for in 2026

Under the starry desert sky in central Australia, Parrtjima returns in April with an immersive celebration of Aboriginal culture and connection