Hannibal's Alpine trek, Raye's Montreux performance, and hip-hop's political edge: NZZ am Sonntag's culture picks

The NZZ am Sonntag presents a curated list of cultural highlights, spanning theater, music, and literature. Among the featured events is the Origen Festival's staging of Hannibal's legendary Alpine crossing at the Julier Pass, exploring themes of love and peace in the face of conflict.

In music, British pop and R&B singer Raye is set to captivate audiences at the Montreux Jazz Festival. Despite her growing international fame, the festival secured her performance, which included guest appearances by Mark Ronson and Alicia Keys. Raye's set reportedly blended her own hits with tributes to music legends, emphasizing her belief that "Music is medicine."

On the hip-hop front, the review touches upon Vince Staples' latest album, "Cry Baby." The article notes its political undertones, a characteristic of Staples' work, and points to the album's cover art as a commentary on the current U.S. presidency.

Additionally, the NZZ am Sonntag delves into the enduring relevance of Homer's "Odyssey." The piece explores how the ancient epic, with its themes of survival, resilience, and the complexities of the human psyche, continues to inspire contemporary interpretations, from academic study to blockbuster films like Christopher Nolan's upcoming "The Odyssey."