ArtsA rare interview with the elusive Agatha ChristieHer murder mysteries have captivated audiences for more than a century, but, 50 years after her death, she remains an enigma. A BBC profile from 1955 reveals some of her secrets.Inside Italy's forgotten art townSicily's forgotten town of Gibellina was envisioned as an art utopia. Four decades later, it's painting a new future as Italy's first Capital of Contemporary Art.The 40 most exciting books coming up in 2026From big-name authors Colson Whitehead, George Saunders and Maggie O'Farrell to debuts and non-fiction, these are the titles you'll want to add to your reading pile this year.FeatureSeven of the greatest rivalries in art historyThere is an art to rivalry. Mastering its rules has, since ancient times, shaped cultural history over millennia.See more Arts in MotionIn a pioneering new collaboration, the BBC – in partnership with Rolex – celebrates excellence in arts and culture. See moreAround the worldEight paint colours that can transform your homeAs Pantone announces its colour of 2026, here's more on the reasoning behind the choice – and what other trending shades can help you achieve greater domestic bliss.How Jane Austen's secrets were destroyed foreverAusten is one of the greatest writers in the English language – but relatively little is known about her. And that's in part because of an act that infuriates many to this day.The long, strange success of the Grateful DeadThe band staged their first concert in December 1965. In 1981, leader Jerry Garcia told the BBC about how they became superstars but "never sold out".Art historyThe ancient monuments saluting the winter solsticeDozens of mysterious structures across the Northern Hemisphere – some nearly 5,000 years old – align precisely to frame the rising and setting Sun on midwinter's shortest day.The 'It Girl' style wars of Renaissance ItalyThe centuries-old origins of the witch's hatHow a Klimt became the most expensive modern artwork What ancient women really thought about sexWatchIs this the real face of the 'Virgin Queen'?Artist Mat Collishaw attempts to unmask this famously image-conscious monarch.See moreClassical musicThe music that keeps animals calmYou can find many different playlists for dogs and cats online. However, not all styles of music are effective.How the Psycho music score changed film foreverAlfred Hitchcock's grisly horror might not have become a classic without composer Bernard Herrmann's disturbing score.Does Notre-Dame still sound the same?Performers and visitors to the famous gothic cathedral in the midst of the River Seine may find some subtle differences to the way sound bounces around its walls.How music saved a cellist's life in AuschwitzAfter being sent to the Nazi death camp in 1943, Anita Lasker survived by playing in its women's orchestra. In 1996, she spoke to the BBC about her ordeal.The most misunderstood Oscar winner everMiloš Forman's best picture-winning Amadeus is often accused of historical inaccuracies – but the film's critics could be missing the point.A look back at operatic legend Maria Callas' lifeGreek-American soprano Maria Callas, hailed as one of the greatest singers in operatic history, remains an icon for young performers today.More stories10 hrs agoDanish postal service's last letters used in artA woman collects the final letters sent by a 400-year-old postal service to create a piece of art.10 hrs ago10 hrs agoCatford town hall to house Goldsmiths Uni campusThe university's Fine Art and Design department needed a new site after needing to vacate its current location at the former Lewisham College site, by July 2027. 10 hrs ago23 hrs agoCumming hails 'extraordinary' first Out in the Hills festivalThe inaugural event in Pitlochry featured actor Sir Ian McKellen, crime writer Val McDermid and broadcaster Graham Norton.23 hrs ago2 days agoPainting raffle raises £13k for new church heating St Mary's Church is raffling a Maggi Hambling artwork to raise funds for a low-carbon heating system.2 days ago2 days agoTheatre hosts conference on risks to young peopleThe weekend event explores online culture and the pull of toxic masculinity.2 days ago3 days agoGermany returns stolen fragments of Bayeux Tapestry to FranceTwo fragments of the 11th-Century fabric were stolen from Bayeux during the Nazi occupation of France in the 1940s.3 days ago3 days ago'Why I've taken up pole dancing in my 50s'Leisha Bond says when she turned 50 she needed something new, which turned out be pole dancing.3 days ago3 days agoPurely Belter play makes it to the West EndGerry and Sewell was first performed in Whitley Bay but is now being shown to audiences in London.3 days ago3 days agoInbetweeners dad to star in new skatepark-set playThe Top G's Like Me cast includes David Schaal, known for his role as Jay's dad in The Inbetweeners.3 days ago...
