This new site-specific work transformed the historic Town Tower into the voice of the city and its residents.

The Town Tower as the voice of the city

From 17 to 20 August 2026, starting at 8:30 each evening, The Town Tower Tells Its Story by Krzysztof Wodiczko transformed the Town Tower into a place where public space intersected with personal stories. Through a large-scale video projection, the authentic voices of people living in Trenčín were heard as they spoke about their hopes and fears, the experiences that have shaped their lives, and the future they envision for their city. Their faces, voices and emotions became part of a monumental projection on one of the most striking landmarks in Trenčín’s historic centre. The video featured the voices of people who represent the diverse facets of contemporary Trenčín – volunteers, artists, students, and young and older residents; a man who found a new home in Trenčín after fleeing the war in Ukraine; a woman who brings people together across generations through community embroidery; and volunteers working with Roma children. Each offered a distinct perspective on life in the city. Together, their stories formed a powerful testimony to its history, values, fears and hopes for the future.

 “We wanted to create a work in which Trenčín itself speaks – through the people who live here, work here, help others, or have brought their life stories here. Each of them represents a different experience, but it is only together that they paint a picture of the city, which is shaped by its inhabitants,” says Alexander Topilin, an architect from Trenčín who collaborated closely with Krzysztof Wodiczko on this project.

Created specifically for Trenčín as part of the Trenčín 2026 European Capital of Culture programme, the work built on Wodiczko’s long-standing artistic practice of transforming architecture into a space for civic dialogue, and giving visibility to stories that often remain unheard. At the same time, the installation invited audiences to move beyond simply observing the artwork and to reflect collectively on the city, its communities and its future.

The video projection took place at the Town Tower from 17 to 20 August 2026, starting at 8:30 each evening, and was open to the general public free of charge. Visitors experienced a unique blend of contemporary art, architecture and authentic human stories right in the historic centre of Trenčín.

A world-renowned artist in Trenčín

Krzysztof Wodiczko (Poland/USA) is one of the world’s leading artists working in public space. His monumental video projections have been displayed on prominent public buildings across Europe, North America and Asia. Throughout his career, he has explored themes such as human rights, war, migration, memory and social responsibility. By using architecture as a medium for social dialogue, Wodiczko brings the voices and experiences of people who are often overlooked into public space.

For Trenčín, Wodiczko created a new work that responds directly to the local community, drawing on the stories and perspectives of the people who live in the city. The Town Tower Tells Its Story project forms part of the Trenčín 2026 – European Capital of Culture programme and reflects its core values of curiosity, openness, dialogue and the active involvement of residents in the cultural life of the city.

The Trenčín 2026 project is funded by the City of Trenčín, the Trenčín Self-Governing Region and the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic. The European Union is a partner in the project.