The premise of New Finnish Grammar is inspired: a wounded soldier is found by a German crew on the quay at Trieste in September, 1943. He has no identification on him, no memory whatsoever and, crucially, no language.

Peta Mathias may wear a medal on her chest but the vibrant author, chef and television presenter still doesn't cast a shadow on her mum.

Diaries at the ready! From fashion to film, music to must-reads - there’s much that’s exciting us about the year ahead.

An investiture ceremony for author, chef and television presenter Peta Mathias will be held at Government House in Auckland today.

Outdoor sculpture exhibition Sculpture on the Gulf is up and running. Set around the coastal walkway on Waiheke Island, the event has been marked as a must do in 2013 by The New York Times. The 30 piece collection will be on display until February 17. Here's a look at some of the pieces.

Last November in Hamilton, the Rothko Quartet carried off top prize in the Pettman/ROSL Arts International Chamber Music Competition.

Artists from New Zealand and the Pacific have a big presence at APT7, which features 75 artists from 27 countries.

The Alba family, the noblest in Spain after the King, has put its private collection of art on show at the Centro Centro in Madrid.

Auckland's Wynyard Quarter is being turned into a sculpture park this February and March, with Summer of Sculpture bringing the works of a wide range of local artists out into the open on the Waterfront. Have a sneak peak at some of the cool creations. Go here biglittlecity.co.nz for more info.

Aucklanders' rates have given a $46 million boost to 10 rescue, safety, arts and cultural groups in the past four years and a further $14 million gift is proposed for the 2013-14 year.

On Saturdays, Hobart's Salamanca Place hosts a market visited by thousands of locals and tourists.

The Big New Yorker Book Of Dogs is big all right: 21cm x 28cm and 395 pages, with a generous smattering of those gloriously sly and sardonic New Yorker cartoons. The content is generally serious in tone.

Peter, the 14-year-old narrator, plus elder brother Hans, the handsome horse-tickler, and sister Tilte, the obsessive reader of other people's diaries, realise their parents have vanished. Ostensibly, Mum and Dad are on holiday in the Canaries.

Basing its final concert for the year on Sunday around the theme of a German Christmas was a shrewd move for Bach Musica.

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra came to town with an early Christmas present: a Gershwin cocktail that capitalised on Freddy Kempf's recent CD.