By Dianne Apen-Sadler
Published on
After Finland’s Oulu took on the mantle last month, Trenčín in Slovakia is ready to launch its European Capital of Culture programme in mid-February.
The town, which is situated around an hour and quarter-hour away from the capital Bratislava, has planned events across the theme of curiosity. The team behind the programme has said it hopes to “encourage bridge-building between people, between past and future, and between imagination and reality”.
Here’s what to anticipate should you’re planning a visit in 2026.
All of the events to not miss in Trenčín in 2026
Trenčín Castle, town’s top tourist attraction, is being transformed right into a space for contemporary art with three exhibitions set to open on 7 February.
The Well of Love takes the legend of Turkish man Omar, who supposedly dug into the rock on the castle after his partner Fatima was imprisoned, and translates the story into contemporary works using light, sound and holograms.
Barbora’s Thread, from Portuguese artist Carla Rebelo, makes use of fragments from the Merina textile factory in town to create an installation that deals with collective memory, while Japanese artist Yasuaki Onishi has created Crystalline Silence using transparent materials.
In April, Trenčín’s Light Art Festival will likely be back, with quite a lot of installations popping up across town for 2 days, while July will see the return of Splanekor, an event where handmade vessels try to sail along the River Váh.
One other unmissable event in July is Garage, a music festival specializing in emerging artists from Slovakia.
Then, in September, Trenčín will have a good time the transformation of the previous railway bridge right into a cultural space with the Fiesta Bridge Festival, which will likely be followed by Altofest in October, with performances going down inside homes across town.
Slovakia and the European Capital of Culture programme
Trenčín is the second city in Slovakia to be named a European Capital of Culture, with Košice holding the title in 2013.
Ahead of that yr’s programming, the economic city opened the Kulturpark, a former nineteenth century Hungarian army barracks that was changed into a cultural space, in addition to the Kunsthalle, a former swimming pool that now hosts concert events and exhibitions.
The European Capital of Culture programme, which has been running since 1985, goals to remodel a city long after its closing ceremony.
“Receiving the title is a historic moment, but much more, it’s a chance for transformation – of our city, our region, and the individuals who live here,” said Patrik Žák, Deputy Mayor of Trenčín.
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