The Essentials: Top Cultural Highlights In April

THE EVENT: Flower Festivals

Ah, spring: a time for renewal, new beginnings… and fresh flowers, of course! If, like us, you’re in the mood for some blooming fun, consider making your way to one of the many flower festivals happening around the world this time of year. From the enchanting cherry blossoms adorning Washington D.C., to the elegant tulip displays at the Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands, the rich purple flower tunnels at Kawachi Fujien Wisteria Garden in Japan, and the sea of daffodils at the Nantucket Daffodil Festival in Massachusetts – there’s a floral celebration for everyone, complete with an array of activities suitable for the entire family, including captivating shows, lively parades and cultural performances.

Perfect If: You’ve been waiting all winter long for the natural world to come back to life in all its colourful glory.

THE FILM: Housekeeping for Beginners

Macedonian-Australian writer-director Goran Stolevski has a gift for domestic dramas, and his latest project provides further proof. This North Macedonian film, winner of the Queer Lion at the 2023 Venice Film Festival, is a compelling portrait of an unconventional LGBTQ family that seeks to show what ‘family’ truly means – whether it’s the one we’re born into or the one we find for ourselves. Premiering in US theatres on 11 April, and available soon for streaming on Apple TV+, Housekeeping for Beginners is funny, melancholic, hopeful and exciting all at once, illustrating with authenticity how people from every walk of life – marginalised or not – crave to find love in its many forms.

Perfect If: You prefer raw, honest stories over more mainstream films.

THE CAUSE: #PlasticDetox Challenge

This month, join earthday.org in answering our planet’s cry for help, begging us to quit our single-use plastic addiction once and for all. Take part in giving the world a much-needed detox by committing to a few simple ways to cut back on unnecessary plastic: stick to reusable shopping bags, refill your water bottle, choose glass containers, skip plastic straws, buy packaging-free products, and even make your own cleaning supplies. These swaps might seem small, but collectively, they’ll make a huge difference to our plastic-clogged natural environments, from the forest to the sea. While you reduce your footprint, you’ll also be paving the way for a healthier future for the generations to come. Already on a plastic-free journey? Raise awareness and inspire others on social media using the hashtag #PlasticDetox.

Perfect If: You know that the fight against plastic isn’t a losing battle – just a set of better, smarter habits.

THE TV SHOW: The Sympathizer

A Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, an Oscar-winning actor, a filmmaking genius and a rising star all come together for HBO’s new original seven-episode series – and it looks promising. Based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s novel of the same name, The Sympathizer, created by Park Chan-wook and Don McKellar, is a cross-culture satire following a half-French, half-Vietnamese spy (Hoa Xuande) who becomes embedded in the Los Angeles refugee community, only to be torn between two worlds and two loyalties. Complemented with a stellar performance by Sandra Oh and several performances – that is, four different supporting roles – by Robert Downey Jr., The Sympathizer debuts on 14 April and is set to offer equal parts dark humour, psychological thrills and many, many twists.

Perfect If: You’re excited for Robert Downey Jr.’s post-Marvel career. Who isn’t, anyway?

THE FAIR: Salone del Mobile

Any interior design enthusiast worth their salt is more than familiar with this annual ode to aesthetic innovation hosted by Italy’s mecca of design, Milan. Held from 16-21 April 2024, the world’s leading furniture fair will be celebrating its 62nd anniversary this year, with highlights including the Biennial EuroCucina expo on kitchen and bathroom design, as well as an installation by American filmmaker David Lynch and a special focus on young designers to mark the 25th iteration of the SaloneSatellite, which showcases rising creative talents under 35. The salon has also announced the introduction of a new, more intuitive exhibition layout, devised in collaboration with architects and neuroscientists according to a “human-at-the-centre philosophy”.

Perfect If: You’ve been looking to refresh your digs  – or simply looking for fresh inspiration.

THE SOUND: ‘Ohio Players’ by The Black Keys

Having provided a significant portion of the indie soundtrack of the early 2000s, The Black Keys are back to lift our spirits once again – at least, that’s what we’ve gathered from their latest single, “Beautiful People (Get High)”. The band’s upcoming release, Ohio Players, marks their eagerly anticipated twelfth studio album, set to hit our playlists on 5 April. We’re already dusting off our Doc Martens in anticipation of the sonic journey they’re about to take us on.

Perfect If: Some of the best moments of your youth were set to The Black Keys. And the Arctic Monkeys and Kings of Leon and The 1975 and The White Stripes and….

THE TREAT: Crookie

Have you ever stood in line at your favourite coffee shop, anxiously pondering whether to get a buttery croissant or a gooey chocolate chip cookie? It happens to us at least once a week. And while one could always go crazy and order both, there appears to be a more democratic solution on the horizon: the crookie! Born (where else?) in Paris, you might have already seen this delectable concoction in your social media feed. It’s a perfect blend between your favourite French pastry and the beloved American dessert, essentially just a croissant stuffed with cookie dough and baked to fudgy, buttery perfection. While the sensation might not have made it to your local bakery just yet, making your own seems simple enough.

Perfect If: You’ve got the sweetest tooth in the world, and your mouth waters just thinking about this match made in decadence heaven.