Check out the expo at the Centre Pompidou-Metz before it closes. Photo: Shutterstock

Check out the expo at the Centre Pompidou-Metz before it closes. Photo: Shutterstock

From science fiction to fun wine bars, feminist essays to a variety of films, the Delano team has picked up ten things for you to discover over the coming weeks, come rain or shine.

Current reads

A massive, dastardly property developer that doesn’t give a shit about local people or the environment experiences some upheaval when its employees-turned-enemies start to rebel against it. Though a plausible plot for current times, this is actually a description of Annalee Newitz’s (Orbit Books, 2023), set in the far future: the titular terraformers have turned a desolate planet into an earthlike paradise, which the property developer is planning to sell to the highest bidder. Rather than using its pages to dramatise the annihilation of corporate evil, however, Newitz draws on a recent trend in science fiction towards utopia and chooses instead to explore how the good-guy characters react against their overlords’ decisions with alternative solutions. The book’s main snag might be how its utopia aligns too closely--and thus sometimes emptily--to the good-if-oversimplified tenets of modern-day wokeism. But the worldbuilding and atypical structure alone make it worthwhile. JP

Mona Chollet’s draws parallels between the witch hunts of the 15th to 18th centuries and the discrimination and misogyny women still encounter today, notably those who earn their own money, choose to be childfree and don’t follow mainstream beauty standards. While I had hoped it would delve more deeply into the historic witch hunt part of the title, it’s an interesting read on gender relations and food for thought on how harmful attitudes against women gained speed centuries ago and how social media and toxic influencers today are feeding a similar beast. CS

Digital highlights

Another March, another International Women’s Day, and all the events and stories surrounding it. One thought piece I found particularly interesting is. It’s an honest look at how younger women needn’t feel threatened by middle-aged women and how, more broadly, women should be supporting other women. NG

Listen to this

This month I’m  loving the hypnotic sound and imagery of s Large Pleasure Watercraft. British-Luxembourgish singer-songwriter composed it, and the imagery by Jeanne Held lends itself really well to the sound. I’m looking forward to hearing what this band/collective comes up with next. NG 

Essential viewing

Before our Netflix subscription expired a few weeks ago, we watched the Korean drama Crash Landing on You. The series tells the story of a wealthy South Korean businesswoman who “crash lands” in North Korea after a paragliding accident, where she meets a North Korean army captain. The captain, along with his subordinates, helps her hide and return to South Korea… but along the way, the two fall in love. While the series is not completely accurate with regards to how North Korea is portrayed (North Korean defectors who advised the show said it was probably 60% accurate, and it has been criticised for glamorising the soldiers), it’s delightful entertainment. I’m usually not a fan of dramas and love stories, but the storyline was gorgeous, weaving in different episodes from the characters’ lives and touching on heavier themes like depression. There were some comedic moments as well, and the music was lovely. Like with the previous Korean drama I watched, I was in tears for nearly the entire last two episodes, so have your tissues ready! LL

Swashbuckling action scenes, the quest for a mythical treasure, a touch of romance… Throw in a terrific musical soundtrack, themes of family, friendship, and mortality, along with some gorgeous animation and you have the Puss in Boots sequel, which features some familiar characters from the Shrek movies and plenty of comedy. The details in the painterly and realistic styles of animation (the style that is used depends on the part of the story) are fantastic. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is still in Luxembourg cinemas. LL

While it already came out last year, I only recently got around to finally watching , which stars Ralph Fiennes as a fêted and mysterious chef. Twelve guests arrive at his island retreat restaurant, where murder is on the menu. What starts as an Agatha Christie-style whodunnit quickly disintegrates into a psychological thriller. The cast--with Nicolas Hoult, Anya Taylor-Joy, John Leguizamo, Janet McTeer and more famous faces starring--is impeccable in this sharply timed and well-executed feast. CS

For foodies

The bar isn’t the newest of good news for Luxembourg’s bar scene but it took me a long time to finally find the time to visit, and it was worth it! Easily accessible by public transport, the bar has a roomy annex to accommodate more guests. The decor is quirky, the wines are nice, the staff and snacks are too, and though it can be a bit pricey, it’s worth checking it out before the temporary wine bar closes its doors. The venue also holds intriguing chef nights, and though I haven’t been myself, I have been told to give it a try…  TH 

Exhibitions

It was already part of our 10 things to do series, BUT, if you haven’t gone yet, do yourself a favour and check out the Centre Pompidou Metz’s expo  before it closes on 10 April. Distributed over two floors of the unique building, the exhibition mixes political messages and science fiction into a beautifully curated, refreshing and cleverly set up experience. I particularly loved the third floor, which presented many works from cultures usually excluded from the dominantly white world of science fiction. Truly worth a visit! It’s easy to access by train, being in close proximity with the central station in Metz, but there is also underground parking for those coming by car. TH

Further afield

If you ever visit Saarbrücken in Germany, I would recommend eating at Restaurant Gasthaus Zahm, which has delicious, high-quality dishes. Try the Cordon bleu, stuffed with Serrano ham and cheese and accompanied by fries and salad, or the veal liver, served with apples, onions, and mashed potatoes. Then stroll along the river, cross the 16th century Alte Brücke and take a look at the nearby Ludwigskirche. LL