The event was part of the European Capital of Culture Trenčín 2026 programme and opened with a special audiovisual show by musician FVLCRVM on the façade of the brutalist building ODA in the city centre on Friday. Admission was free.

"This year we built the festival around the connection between light and sound. Some installations treated sound design as an equal component of the artwork, while others respond directly to the movement or presence of people. Visitors were able to not only see the light art but also hear it and truly experience it in space," says Patrik Kubizna from the Trenčín civic association TRAKT, which organises Light Art Festival.

"The programme featured works from Japan, France, Norway, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic, while also giving space to Slovak and Trenčín-based artists. The installations were spread across the city centre both in public spaces and within interiors. Each work responded to its specific location and offered a distinct atmosphere and way of perceiving light," adds Patrik Kubizna.

On Friday evening, the festival opened with a unique set by producer FVLCRVM, currently nominated for the prestigious Slovak Radio_Head Awards in five categories, including Album of the Year and Track of the Year 2025.

The performance was accompanied by an audiovisual show by the creative collective Odyssea Studio. The projection and light design, created specifically for the brutalist architecture of the ODA building, transformed its façade into a pulsating stage.

After the opening, the space in front of ODA came alive with the kinetic installation FLUX by French Collectif Scale, where light, movement, and music merged into a hypnotic "light dance”.

The festival featured six international artists and collectives. One of the most prominent names was Japanese artist Chida Yasuhiro, a leading figure in contemporary light art. In his works, he created delicate light ‘threads’ that transform the way we perceive space.

Another international collaboration was the partnership with the Norwegian Factory Light Festival, which specialises in light art in industrial spaces. Their installation was created specifically for the underground spaces of the Trenčín FOR MAAT gallery.

At the opposite end of the festival route, in the mirror hall of KKC Hviezda (Cultural and creative centre Hviezda), Slovak artist Veronika Šmírová presented an immersive, interactive installation.

Visitors were able to enter and move through the work, as the projection responded dynamically to both movement and sound within the space. Veronika Šmírová is one of the distinctive emerging voices in light art and through her work, exemplified how the European Capital of Culture connected Slovakia with the international scene. Last year, with Trenčín 2026, she exhibited at the Norwegian Factory Light Festival; this year, the exchange came full circle, with the Norwegian collective presenting its work in Trenčín.

Installation for Children, Guided Tours, and Art on the Train

The festival also welcomed families. Slovak artist Matej Mazák brought his interactive light installation Spooklings to Park Milana Rastislava Štefánika. The playful objects respond to movement and sound, allowing children to engage directly with the work.

Families could also join an interactive children’s vernissage and a joint launch of the installation at 19:00 on both days to learn more about the artwork and the world of light art. For art enthusiasts, the festival prepared guided tours in collaboration with the M. A. Bazovský Gallery, offering an exclusive look at selected works in interior spaces.

During both days, visitors could enjoy a special light-themed gastronomic offering at participating venues, as well as playful curiosity workshops held in collaboration with Trenčín 2026.

Light art also reached train passengers as part of the Kultúrny expres (Culture Express) event – on Friday, 10 April, aboard train EX 621 from Bratislava (departing at 13:15) to Košice, and on Saturday, 11 April, aboard train EX 618 from Košice (departing at 13:07) to Bratislava.

In a specially designated carriage, passengers could experience the interactive Laser Harp by Czech designer Ondřej Puchta. Travelling to the festival by train was highly encouraged: during the festival days, ZSSK (Slovak Railways) was offering visitors a 50% discount on return tickets to Trenčín, available at the boarding station or directly on the train, with no additional surcharge.

Light Art Festival is part of the European Capital of Culture Trenčín 2026. The Trenčín 2026 project is financially supported by the City of Trenčín, the Trenčín SelfGoverning Region, and the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic, with the European Union as a project partner.