Two cities, one European celebration
The goal of the gathering was to highlight the shared spirit of the European Capitals of Culture initiative, to inform the public about the upcoming programmes and to invite citizens across Europe to visit both cities throughout 2026. At the event, Stanislav Krajči, CEO of Trenčín2026, and Patrik Žák, Deputy Mayor of Trenčín, jointly introduced the Trenčín programme, while Piia Rantala-Korhonen, CEO of Oulu2026, outlined Oulu’s programme.
Throughout the year, the two cities will present a wide range of cultural events, bold artistic collaborations and immersive experiences that bring together local communities, international artists and European audiences. Both Trenčín and Oulu will use the transformative power of culture to reimagine their cities, foster innovation and strengthen their place in the European cultural landscape.
Awakening Curiosity
Trenčín2026’s cultural programme is titled “Awakening Curiosity” and uses curiosity as a lens to transform the city and region. Through hundreds of projects and events, it builds bridges between people, past and future, and imagination and reality. The programme focuses on three key areas: People and Relationships, fostering trust, a sense of belonging, and civil engagement in city life; Places and Public Space, activating walkways, squares and parks as communal sites, such as the reimagining of an old railway bridge into the “Fiesta Bridge”; and Creativity and Culture, fostering local talent, nurturing emerging artists, and promoting international artistic exchange. By exploring history, cultural memory, ecological responsibility, equality and new forms of expression, Trenčín invites audiences to experience the city in unexpected ways and engage with its ongoing transformation.
Stanislav Krajči, CEO of Trenčín2026, says: “Becoming a European Capital of Culture is an invitation for everyone to see Trenčín through new eyes. ‘Awakening Curiosity’ is more than a programme, it’s a moment to connect the city’s stories with its people and visitors, to activate public spaces, and to explore creativity in ways that transform both the city and the region. We look forward to sharing Trenčín’s heritage, its present, and its future with audiences from across Europe and beyond.”
Highlights of the programme
The celebration will begin with the Opening Ceremony of Trenčín2026 from February 13 to 15. The three-day programme will engage the entire city, beginning on Friday with schools and students taking centre stage, continuing on Saturday with community breakfasts, parades, cultural activities, and a festive evening ceremony of performances and concerts. The programme will conclude on Sunday with family- and community-focused events, culminating in a symbolic act on the Váh River, marking the official start of Trenčín2026.
In early February, Trenčín2026 will showcase two major art projects. Swiss artist Pipilotti Rist will create a striking pop-up intervention that gently subverts normative systems and institutional frameworks, flooding the city with her radiant and critical imagery. Meanwhile, Austrian artist Oliver Ressler will unveil a site-specific installation for the Green Line project, curated by acclaimed Slovak artist and climate activist Oto Hudec, inviting residents to experience the environment of the city anew.
Spring will highlight the second edition of the Light Art Festival Trenčín, which will illuminate streets and public spaces with large-scale projections, interactive light installations and site-specific artworks, offering residents and visitors a memorable visual experience.
Throughout the summer, the city will see the revival of Splanekor 2.0, a unique local tradition involving a joint voyage of handcrafted vessels along the Váh River. Emphasising community, artistic expression, and ecology, the project bridges heritage and contemporary creativity, engaging both residents and artists.
Trenčín will also host a major international exhibition at the newly renovated County House. Curated by Hungarians Ilona Németh and Edit András, Global Equality and Hospitality will present works by renowned international artists, such as Hito Steyerl of Germany, Sanja Iveković of Croatia or Artur Żmijewski of Poland, which will address human rights, social inequality, populism and democracy, inviting reflection on pressing global challenges through contemporary art.
In September, the newly reimagined Fiesta Bridge will come alive during the Fiesta Festival, inviting the public to enjoy art, performance and community gatherings atop this landmark. The former railway bridge will open up the city centre, offering views of the castle and historic core, and become a new cultural venue with a floating stage and lively riverside spaces, a vibrant symbol of Trenčín’s contemporary culture and heritage.
Among many other events across the city, Trenčín2026 will celebrate dance and theatre, featuring premieres by Petra Fornay of Slovakia, Simone Sandroni of Italy and Jozef Fruček of Slovakia. In October, the city will host Altofest, a Neapolitan concept of experimental theatre by Italians Anna Gesualdi and Giovanni Trono), transforming private homes into performance spaces through a unique process of cohabitation between artists and residents.
The programme will also highlight architecture and urban innovation during Architecture Days, and celebrate sustainable fashion at the LUMó Hub and the Laboratory of Sustainable Fashion, supporting local designers through exhibitions, workshops, and collaborative projects.
The year of celebrations as European Capital of Culture will culminate in December with the Closing Festival of Trenčín2026.
Trenčín 2026 is financially supported by the city of Trenčín, the Trenčín Region and the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic. The European Union is a partner of the project.
