Pachacuti, the ninth Inca monarch, expanded the empire’s boundaries and forged a cohesive, tightly governed state

ELF THE MUSICAL A joyous stage version of the beloved film, with Buddy’s journey to New York full of laughs, singing and festive magic. ✣ Tickets from £39.50; elflondon.com. 28 October 2025-3 January

It calls itself the ‘capital of Christmas’, and this city in north-east France has hosted a festive market for 450 years – so it could be right! The markets spread out across the centre of the town, f

1 SALUTING MAGPIES This centuries-old practice is still common across the British isles in rural and urban communities alike. The magpie is commonly associated with death – perhaps because, legend say

Pierre d’Alancaisez on Art COURTESY OF CHENG-LAN ART ...

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