21 January 2023: The death of Queen Elizabeth II and the Russian invasion of Ukraine were perhaps the two biggest events of 2022, both of which were unpredictable, as is the case with many high points in world history. One of the major events of 2023 is therefore well known and that is the history-making moment of the coronation of King Charles III.

There will also be important anniversaries in 2023, such as the 50th anniversary of the death of Pablo Picasso on 8 April. On 13 April, 70 years ago, English writer Ian Fleming published Casino Royale, the first of 12 books about secret agent James Bond.

What should be on your travel agenda?

Venice, of course, but watch out here too, because there is a "day trip fee" from January. And you should definitely pay another visit to the Centre Pompidou, because it is closing its doors at the end of 2023 for an extensive renovation, so it will even be closed for the Olympic Games in 2024. Mon Dieu!

Here are some of the most significant cultural and social events in 2023.

January

Dreams and visions

 "New Administrative Capital"

Egypt has a new capital, "New Administrative Capital", built in just seven years in the desert soil, about 60 kilometres from the gates of Cairo. It is a metropolis of superlatives with the largest tower in Africa and the largest church in the Arab world. The new city is said to have cost 60 billion euros and to be the nucleus of a new Egypt without overcrowded districts.

Disneyland ©Jayme Mccolgan Unsplash

Platinum Jubilee

Disney

Disney's 100 Years of Wonder celebrations are an absolute major event. The official kick-off is on 27 January at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Florida. The entire resort, the castle and Mickey and Minnie's costumes will glow platinum throughout. Later in October, the celebrations will continue at Disneyland Paris.

New rules

Venice

Venice introduces a "day trip fee" for visitors who come to the city for a few hours but do not stay overnight. The municipality needs to limit the number of transients who put a strain on the city's fragile infrastructure. The fee will range from 3 to 10 euros, depending on how crowded the city is on a given day.

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Courtesy of Valentino

Fashion Calendar, 12 January 2023

Pierpaolo Piccioli wants to define the codes of menswear. The visionary shares: 'At this historic moment, there is a debate about the end of streetwear and the return of formal wear for men. See what formal wear for men, or rather its codes, look like in the campaign staged with AI.

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Venice, new rules since January 2023

©Johnell Pannell

April

Art

Pablo Picasso

8 April 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Spanish artist Pablo Picasso. Spain and France will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Pablo Picasso's death with more than countless exhibitions and events as part of the Picasso Celebration 1973 - 2023.

Film

100 Years of Warner Bros Celebrating Every Story 

On 4 April 1923 Warner Bros was founded by Albert, Sam, Harry and Jack Warner, a studio that was to make Hollywood history. The studio's greatest financial successes came with the Harry Potter series. Expect an anniversary film and a special HBO Max, which will feature a curated collection of shows and films from the company.

London ©David Williams Unsplash

Royals

Coronation of King Charles III

On 6 May, King Charles III will be crowned at Westminster Abbey. His Queen Consort Camilla is married in a separate ceremony. Buckingham Palace has already announced that the coronation will be a short ceremony, just over an hour. This to suit King Charles III's vision of a reduced monarchy (we will miss Prince Harry so much) and also to suit the current world situation. His mother's coronation lasted almost three hours and included a gathering of 8,000 dignitaries.

6 May 2023

Music enjoyment

Eurovision Song Contest

Liverpool, United Kingdom, will host the 67th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest with a total of 37 European countries. The 2022 contest, held in Turin, Italy, was won by the Kalush Orchestra from Ukraine, which then could not take place due to the Russian invasion. The competition will be held at the Eurovision Village festival site in and around the Pier Head in Liverpool. The grand final will be held on 13 May.

9 to 13 May 2023

©Nasa

September

Visit from outer space

OSIRIS-REX

OSIRIS-REX, the first NASA mission to collect samples from an asteroid, is returning to Earth. In September 2023, it is scheduled to drop the sample over Earth, where it will land in the US state of Utah with the help of parachutes. Nasa staff will then bring the sample to the Johnson Space Center in Houston im, where it can be studied. Scientists hope the dust and pebbles could shed light on the formation of the early solar system.

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Criss Canning in her atelier in Lambley Nursery ©Criss Canning

Art Calendar, 15 January 2023

Smith & Singer, Melbourne: The exhibition of one of Australia's most important contemporary artists, Criss Canning.

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Sidney ©David Williams Unsplash

Landmark of Australia

Sydney Opera House

20 October 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Sydney Opera House, one of the most famous landmarks not only of Australia, but of the world. It was formally opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 20 October 1973. With over 2000 performances a year, over 8 million tourists a year, the iconic building is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

©Nasa

November

Eagerly awaited

COP28

The United Arab Emirates will host COP28 from 30 November to 12 December in Dubai, becoming the second Middle Eastern country to host a COP. "We only have one planet and in light of this, it is imperative that we partner and work together in a spirit of determination and optimism," said Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. He added that COP28 will be the country's most important event in 2023. 

Centre Pompidou ©Adora Goodenough ©Unsplash

At the end of 2023

You should definitely visit the Centre Pompidou in Paris again, because it will close its doors at the end of 2023 for an extensive renovation, so it will even be closed for the Olympic Games in 2024. Mon Dieu! It would then reopen in 2027 for its 50th birthday.

Courtesy of Valentino

Fashion Calendar, 12 January 2023

Pierpaolo Piccioli wants to define the codes of menswear with his Valentino Essentials collection. The visionary shares: 'At this historic moment, there is a debate about the end of streetwear and the return of formal wear for men. See what formal wear for men, or rather its codes, look like in the campaign staged with AI.

Read more

Lifestyle Calendar, 1 January 2023

The extraordinary museums of Florence in 2023. If you are in the Renaissance city of Florence in 2023, you will probably visit the David in the Accademia Gallery, Botticelli's in the Galerie degli Uffizi, and you have already been to the Duomo. But there are many many more treasures that we want to show you in this article. 

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Muelle de la Batería s/n, A Coruña, Galicia

"Steven Meisel 1993 A Year in Photographs en A Coruña"

©Justin Paquay

Art Calendar, 5 December 2022

New exhibition of the Marta Ortega Pérez Foundation: "Steven Meisel 1993 A Year in Photographs en A Coruña". Until 1 May.

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Der Moment

The Visit of Trash People Circular Valley Forum Ansgar Van Treeck

Art Calendar / Environment / Business, 19 November 2022

HA Schult's Trash People at the Circular Valley Forum in Wuppertal on 18 November 2022."Check the thing you want to throw away and don't give it away. It is the mirror of yourself. Don't betray your soul." 600 decision-makers from business and politics came together, including environmental activists from the early days such as HA Schult and former Federal Environment Minister Klaus Töpfer, described by the Forum as the "father of the circular economy". The participants were surprised by the Trash People, many of whom had never seen the artworks up close before. But the performance also shows what role artists play. They are not among the decision-makers, but art has the power to unite and emotionalise people, as it did on this evening.

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Portrait Francesco Cavallo ©Francesco Cavallo

Lifestyle, 11. January 2023

Can a recipe book talk about the relationship between love and food? Certainly, especially when the recipes are called "Cooking Moonlight Risotto". Francesco Cavallo, the well-known Florentine personality and owner of the Hotel Cellai has launched his first literary work, the cookbook „Cucina d‘amore e libertà“. His invitations in Florence are legendary, where he sometimes stands at the cooker himself.

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Freedom Quilt, currently on display at the International Slavery Museum ©Pete Carr

Art Calendar, 29 December 2022

Freedom Quilt - a story of resilience. 

On display at the International Slavery Museum, Liverpool is the Freedom Quilt, an art project of the Sophie Hayes Foundation. Survivors of human trafficking and abuse created an art project using fabric from UK department store Liberty. In an exclusive interview, CEO Red Godfrey-Sagoo talks about the great response to the project, but also explains the scope of human trafficking. Also learn how the Sophie Hayes can help trafficked people or how you can support the Foundation.

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Do you already know Düsseldorf? The most important dates from Lifestyle, Art, Fashion, & Gourmet in 2023. Let yourself be surprised by what the city in North Rhine-Westphalia, located directly on the Rhine, has to offer. In Germany, Düsseldorf is considered chic and rich, but the city is also young, diverse and rebellious, and the Düsseldorf Art Academy has its share of that. Discover the dates for the Invictus Games, ProWein, Art Düsseldorf, Classic Days, Gourmet Festival and much more. As well as a small photo series.

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Stuart Semples colour Placebo ©Stuart Semple Studio

Art Calendar, 4 December 2022

Rock band Placebo X Stuart Semple: limited-edition vinyl and an entirely new colour. An exclusive interview!

The British rock band Placebo has released a limited vinyl edition "Placebo Paint", designed by the exceptional British artist Stuart Semple. Stuart Semple, also known as the "pigment activist", was the first to raise the issue of the intellectual property of a paint. Also in the media was his legal dispute with the English artist Anish Kapoor, in which he criticised the so-called monopolisation of "Vantablack". His new colour creation "Placebo", a beautifully changing shade of purple, is available to everyone.

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HA Schult in Matera ©HA Schult

Art / Art Calendar / Environment, 1 November 2022

HA Schult and Christa Steinle - we can influence people's thoughts, but not their actions. HA Schult at Circular Valley in Wuppertal on 18 November 2022. Alethea Magazine has the honour of reproducing an Artist Talk that HA Schult had with the Austrian art historian and then director of the Graz Joanneum Museum, Dr. Christa Steinle on 7 October 2006 at Palais Herberstein.

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