For three days, from 13 to 15 February, the Slovakian city will host a series of shows, meetings and events for a weekend that is likely to be unprecedented, with the local community playing a starring role.

The grand opening of the Trenčín 2026 European Capital of Culture project will transform the renovated historic city centre into an open cultural stage. Schoolchildren, cultural institutions, artists, residents, invited guests, and creators from Slovakia and abroad will participate. According to Mayor Richard Rybníček, the title of European Capital of Culture, which Slovakia has managed to win for the second time, is a unique opportunity to show the world what Trenčín is capable of. “Trenčín is an exceptional, dynamic, and inspiring city. Through this title, we will show Europe that we can create culture with people, for people, and among people,” said Richard Rybníček, Mayor of Trenčín. 

Not only the city’s residents, but also the entire region can be proud of the title of European Capital of Culture 2026. People from surrounding towns and villages will also be introduced to art and culture. “Trenčín is the natural centre of the entire Trenčín Region, but we have also involved dozens of towns and municipalities located within its territory in the project, and they have supported it from the very beginning. I am glad that we will be able to show that culture can be a driving force for cooperation and regional development,” said Jaroslav Baška, chairman of the Trenčín Self-Governing Region.  

Three days for everyone The opening ceremony program is designed to delight the eyes and souls of all residents and visitors to the city. “We have divided it into three days, each with its own specific character. Together, they will bring a new kind of experience of discovering the city, its unexpected transformations and forms. At the same time, they will create a space where the creativity of talented artists and residents of Trenčín can be fully expressed. It will be a taste of the year-round program, which will offer people dozens of projects across artistic genres,” revealed Lumír Mati, chief dramaturge of the opening ceremony.  

Friday will begin with a symbolic awakening of curiosity. The program is primarily intended for pupils and students and will take place not only in schools, but also in cultural institutions and public spaces. In the afternoon, local communities will continue with their own events. Together with hundreds of volunteers, they form the core of the Trenčín 2026 project. Saturday will bring the streets and squares to life, where visitors can enjoy an all-day program – from breakfast in the city to a festive parade and an evening gala performance. The Sunday part of the program will begin at 10 a.m. with an ecumenical service. The Sunday program is primarily dedicated to families, children, and seniors. The program includes theatre performances, musical and literary events, discussions, and poetry set to music. 

The best of Trenčín 2026 “The year 2026 will bring hundreds of events, from large programs for a wide audience to small, intimate formats intended only for a few families, neighbours, or a community on a single street,” says Stanislav Krajči, director of the Trenčín 2026 project. 
“We want to appeal to both domestic and foreign visitors and reach all generations. The program will offer new perspectives on art, culture, public space, and the world we live in. We believe that it is precisely the diversity of experiences that will truly bring people together.” 

The Waiting Places project brings art to places where no one would expect it: post offices, hospitals, police stations, and employment offices. Ordinary institutions are transformed into galleries and unusual venues for site-specific art installations. This enlivens the space of these buildings and brings art closer to the general public. 

LAF – Light Art Festival will once again provide a powerful visual experience and transform Trenčín into an open-air night gallery. The festival has been very well received in the past, which is why it is returning to the city on an even larger scale. 

Another example of a successful transformation of public space is The City reimagined project. City residents welcomed it because it closed a busy street to cars for one day and opened it to people. This created a unique space for neighbours to meet, engage in community activities, and share experiences. It became living proof that a city can be transformed into a place where people enjoy living. The Váh River will once again play an important role in the program because, together with the castle, it is a symbol of the city itself. Summer will kick off with the popular community event Splanekor, during which participants sail down part of the river in handmade boats. Tradition, creativity, and the joy of movement in nature come together to create an unforgettable experience. 

“Exhibitions that offer new perspectives on current social issues will also be an important part of the Trenčín 2026 program,” says Mária Janušová, the program’s chief dramaturge. The largest of these will be the international exhibition Global Equality and Hospitality. It will take place in the newly renovated County House building. Curators Ilona Németh and Edit András will present themes of solidarity, migration, and equality. Traditional formats such as New Circus and Altofest will be presented in a new form. While the former presents the contemporary circus scene, the latter will take place directly in homes and unconventional spaces, offering intimate and unexpected experiences. 

The Trenčín 2026 project also highlights the history of fashion and clothing in the city. This heritage will continue in the Sustainable Fashion Laboratory, which will combine creativity, design, and ecological approaches. It will also include fashion shows, inspirational workshops, and lectures. The end of summer will belong to the Fiesta bridge festival. It will celebrate the completion of the transformation of the former railway bridge over the Váh River into a cultural and social space that symbolically connects the past with the future. 

At the end of the year, the Sounds of Democracy project will take place, organized in cooperation with the Pohoda festival. It will focus on a series of multidisciplinary events commemorating key days in Slovak and European democracy, while also providing inspiration for the future. 

Trenčín 2026 is financially supported 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. The patron of the project is Peter Pellegrini, President of the Slovak Republic. 

Exhibitions will be inaugurated and it will be possible to admire exhibitions already underway, such as The Architecture of Community Building, which can be visited until 28 February.

Architecture of Community Building is a photographic project on the Children's City in Trenčín-Zlatovce. It focuses on its construction, its functioning and personal experiences. It also looks at the social inclusion of disadvantaged people. What integration challenges does the city of Trenčín as a whole face today?

Kristína Seidlová’s exhibition The Architecture of Community Building follows on from her book project Forgotten Memory (2023), in which she comprehensively examined the causes behind the emergence of the unique project of the Children’s Town. Between 1974–2005, it represented a family-type children’s home as well as a complex that, in addition to upbringing, also provided space for everyday life and education. By combining archival images with her own photographic research, as well as interviews with former residents and architect Peter Brtko, the author analyzes the interaction between people and their environment – from the intimacy of interior spaces to the public spaces of the campus. At the beginning of 2025, she reflected on this theme as part of her retrospective exhibition at FORMAAT Gallery. The Architecture of Community Building, together with the accompanying program at the M. A. Bazovský Gallery in Trenčín, updates the topic of the Children’s Town twenty years later, in the context of community inclusion of the socially disadvantaged and the integration challenges of the city of Trenčín.

This is the Opening Weekend Program

Friday, 13 February

Friday belongs to schools, communities, and places that are not usually in the spotlight.

Morning program for primary and secondary schools
Creative and culture-focused activities in kindergartens
Early evening neighbourhood gatherings in various districts
Concerts and performances in unconventional spaces
Evening program in clubs and cultural centres
 

Saturday, 14 February

Saturday opens the city centre, artistic stages, and new cultural experiences.

Morning community and literary breakfast for the public and volunteers
A cultural parade full of art, music, and surprises, transforming the city centre into a lively promenade
Opening of several cultural stages throughout the city centre
Exhibitions and installations placed across the city
Official opening ceremony at Trenčín Castle — for invited guests
A spectacular evening show on Mierové Square, which will completely change its appearance for this occasion — the main highlight of the entire Opening Weekend
Continued evening program: concerts, theatre, a fashion show, and other surprises
 

Sunday, 15 February

Sunday brings a relaxed tempo, ideal for sharing, resting, and gentle exploration.

Theatre performances and activities for families with children
Cultural program for seniors
Literary events, readings, and discussions
Ongoing exhibitions and artistic installations throughout the city, including Trenčín Castle
An invitation to the year-round Trenčín 2026 program
 

A detailed schedule will be added continually — follow their social media or newsletter.

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