Hello,
The Sphera team is taking a short break to enjoy the summer. But before we pack our bags, we’ve put together a small selection of little gems for you to read, see and listen to, on your summer wanderings.
The Italian playlist
My summer soundtrack is inspired by the concerts I’ve been lucky enough to go to over the last few months. It begins with a party atmosphere and dancing with il Mago del Gelato, a funk quartet from Milan who made their debut in 2025 with their album “Chi è Nicola Felpieri?”. Then, for another fantastic debut, there’s Le Feste Antonacci, an energetic Italian-French band based in Paris, who are EXTREMELY entertaining to watch live, and who’ve also just released their first album, “Uomini Cani Gabbiani”. For a sunset on the beach, I recommend listening to “Spira” by Daniela Pes, a Sardinian artist who sings in a fictional language she invented. And finally, for a long car journey, I suggest the album “Sonido Còsmico” by Hermanos Gutierrez, which will give you the impression of traveling in a convertible at dusk through an infinite, silent desert.
(Marco, journalist and translator)
The ultimate guide
Guidebooks and travel guides are always a mixture of practical advice (often a little disappointing, admittedly) and sweet dreams of somewhere else. But if you like walking, vast expanses of open country, and can cope with a little grey weather, drizzle and midges, then why not consider reading the West Highland Way guidebook, and embarking on this magnificent hike from Glasgow to Fort William through the Highlands? (Spoiler: there are sometimes deer and bouts of sunshine along the way too!)
(Pauline, coordinator)
The magical version
It’s not new, but I would really recommend the “One hundred years of solitude” series, that came out on Netflix in 2024. Based on the famous book by G.G. Marquez, this 100% Colombian production will take you on a beautiful journey, through words, music and images. Though I wasn’t a huge fan of the book back when I read it as a teenager, I really loved the series. From the way it’s shot, to the choice of music and angles, I thought it was one of the best things Netflix has funded in years.
(Alexandra, editor-in-chief)
The vagabond book
For those who love road trips, to those who feel a bit lost or trapped, to those in search of themselves or something new —I recommend Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road”. This masterpiece of the Beat Generation is a tribute to wanderlust and freedom. It’s chaotic, rebellious, sometimes tough, and above all incredibly life-affirming.
(Pauline, coordinator)
The family novel
I was in Tbilisi a few weeks ago, and returning to this complex, paradoxical and unique city always reminds me of “The Eighth Life” , by Nino Haratischvili, that I’ve already recommended in this newsletter before. It’s a family saga that traces several generations a Georgian family through the twentieth century, and is as fascinating from a historical point of view as it is from a human one. It’s quite a dense read, but I promise you’ll pass sleepless nights devouring it.
(Alexandra, editor-in-chief)
Fashion without borders
This summer, Thomas Porlon from StreetPress (in partnership with Sphera) is taking us on a tour of Europe’s local legends. In the second episode of this series the journalist meets “Manteros” –undocumented street vendors– who have created their own clothing brand: Top Manta. It’s a beautiful story that also looks back on the stressful daily lives of these immigrants when they worked on the streets of Spain.
(Hélène, journalist)
We hope you’ll find what you’re looking for in this list and wish you a wonderful summer!
The Sphera team,
