Off Menu: Plans and Ideas for April

1. LA GRAZIA (The Grace)

Paolo Sorrentino's latest film, La grazia (The Grace), arrives in cinemas after premiering at Venice, earning acclaim as one of the most significant European cinematic works of recent times. Starring Toni Servillo, the film follows an Italian president nearing the end of his term, grappling with complex dilemmas surrounding forgiveness and euthanasia. It delves into themes of power, the passage of time, and uncertainty, using these tensions to drive the narrative. With a more restrained tone compared to his previous works, Sorrentino masterfully blends elegance with melancholy, seamlessly merging the sublime and the ridiculous.

2. EL ENREDO (The Entanglement)

Alva Noë's The Entanglement: How Art and Philosophy Make Us Who We Are proposes that art transcends mere entertainment, serving instead as a vital tool for understanding human experience and our connection to beauty. Noë explores fundamental questions: what is art, why does it move us, and how does it integrate into our daily lives, framing it as "philosophy in action." Written in a clear and evocative style, the book acknowledges the importance of science while highlighting its limitations in fully explaining human experience, ultimately advocating for art as a transformative and essential practice.

3. GENUNINE

Genunine is a distinctive design concept store that champions thoughtful objects as a lifestyle choice: original, expressive, and a departure from the anonymity of fast fashion. Founded in Gijón in 2017, the brand aims to integrate design with everyday emotion, offering a curated selection of functional items alongside pieces that tell a story and enhance daily living with style. Their online store features everything from furniture and lighting to home decor, gifts, and lifestyle accessories, all carefully chosen for their unique design and quality.

4. TARACÁ, DREXLER'S NEW ALBUM

Jorge Drexler releases his new album, Taracá, which sees him return to his roots with a contemporary perspective. Recorded in Uruguay, the album pays homage to candombe and the "tambor chico" (small drum) with an organic and vibrant energy. Its 11 tracks bridge generations, featuring collaborations with artists like Young Miko, Meritxell Neddermann, and Ángeles Toledano, among others. Songs such as "Toco Madera" (Knock on Wood) and "Ante la duda baila" (When in Doubt, Dance) highlight the interplay between the intimate and the collective. The album launch coincides with an international tour, with Spanish dates scheduled to begin next September.

5. SANSAN FESTIVAL

Spain's Costa Azahar is gearing up to kick off the festival season with the eleventh edition of SanSan Festival, one of the country's first major musical events of the year. From April 2nd to 4th, 2026, the Benicàssim Festival Grounds (Castellón) will transform into an indie, pop, and rock music hub, set against the backdrop of the Mediterranean during Holy Week. This year's lineup balances established acts with emerging talents, featuring anthems from Of Monsters and Men, the dynamic energy of Rigoberta Bandini, and national indie classics like Love of Lesbian, Guitarricadelafuente, La M.O.D.A., Xoel López, and Ultraligera. For those looking to welcome spring to the rhythm of their favorite artists and discover new voices, Benicàssim is undoubtedly the place to be.

6. VIENE DEL ESTE (Comes from the East)

Viene del Este (Comes from the East) marks Antonio J. Jiménez's graphic novel debut. The story is set on an seemingly ordinary March 22nd, where the lives of various characters intersect in the city: someone falls in love, another loses a friend, someone cares for their sick mother, or arrives at work exhausted. Meanwhile, elsewhere, bombs fall, and the end of the world seems possible. Each chapter spans 24 hours, depicting routines, heartbreaks, relationships, and minor daily conflicts, all paralleled by global conflicts and the latent threat that underscores life's fragility. In addition to the standard edition, a special, limited edition is available, including three exclusive prints signed and numbered by the author, elevating the comic to an artistic collector's item.

7. FUNDACIÓN DEL PRODUCTO (Product Foundation)

Madrid's renowned Sala de Despiece expands beyond gastronomy with Fundación del Producto (Product Foundation), a new venture celebrating raw ingredients and their producers. More than just a store, it's a vibrant meeting space where visitors can discover products meticulously selected from artisans and producers dedicated to sustainability and quality. The initiative also offers tasting experiences that directly connect the public with the origin of their food.

8. FLEURFATAL

The Belgian brand Fleurfatale, founded by designer and goldsmith Greet Tanghe, reimagines contemporary jewelry with delicate pieces featuring clean, simple lines. These designs reflect her background in graphic design, celebrating form without ostentation. Each collection, ranging from floral motifs to artistic inspirations, is produced on a small scale using silver, brass, and gold-plated metals, emphasizing craftsmanship, sustainability, and local production. Fleurfatale creations are available online, in specialized boutiques, and notably in museum shops like the Museum voor Schone Kunsten in Ghent and the Kunstmuseum in The Hague, where contemporary jewelry finds its place in dialogue with art and design.

9. THOMAS MANN'S SPOTIFY PLAYLIST

The year 2026 marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Thomas Mann, one of the 20th century's literary giants. The Goethe-Institut is commemorating this milestone with a series of content exploring his life, works, and profound fascination with music. Through interviews, articles, and intriguing facts, the German Nobel laureate becomes more accessible, inviting audiences to delve into his creative world from various perspectives. One unique approach is a Spotify playlist curated by American music critic and writer Alex Ross, based on Thomas Mann's favorite records as revealed in a 1948 interview with the Saturday Review of Literature. It offers an original way to connect with the author through the music that inspired his imagination and cultural sensibility.

10. EUPHORIA: ART'S MOST PLAYFUL VERSION

The Balloon Museum arrives in Madrid with "Euphoяia – Art is in the Air," a contemporary art exhibition that transforms air into an artistic medium. Featuring 14 large-scale installations by international artists such as Philippe Parreno, Martin Creed, Karina Smigla-Bobinski, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, A.A. Murakami, and Hyperstudio, the exhibit encourages visitors to touch, move, and explore, making every interaction part of the artwork. Curated by Antonella di Lullo, "Euphoяia" guides guests through a journey where inflatable materials, lights, and ethereal bubbles – elements often associated with childhood and popular culture – become vehicles for emotion, play, and reflection.