Glimpses from the Trenčín 2026 opening weekend
Last weekend, I had the pleasure of taking part in the opening week celebrating Trenčín as the European Capital of Culture for 2026. Their horizontal and holistic approach to fostering resident engagement and cultural activation across the city wasn’t entirely new to me. Over the past three years with Placemaking Europe, we’ve had the chance to observe and actively support the Trenčín 2026 and municipal teams, watching their continuous efforts unfold with a clear goal in mind: culture needs to happen in every square and every corner of the city – and that can only happen when people are not just participants, but creators of it.
From the very beginning of their preparations, Trenčín took a bold step. From their bid book in 2022, through receiving the title, to now bringing it to life, they have consistently tested new approaches. All those backstage rehearsals are now moving into the spotlight – inviting us to experience the city as a continuous performance.
Placemaking has been at the core of these activities – not only as a tool for action on the ground, but as a process underpinning the entire effort. Above all, Trenčín has not been afraid to experiment. I clearly remember in 2022 when they shared how, in order to encourage – or perhaps even gently lure – people out of their homes after the isolating effects of the pandemic, they embraced the idea of doing everything “extra.” The goal was to make up for lost moments and missed memories caused by restrictions. This led to community events where football games were played with two balls at once, or residents’ birthdays were celebrated with two cakes – doing everything “twice as much.” It may sound playful, even a bit absurd, but it creates lasting memories and a shared sense of joy that endures.
Another example that made me admire Trenčín’s genuinely sincere efforts was the initiative that evolved into the Neighbourhood Table. It began as a parklet installation that initially faced some backlash. In the summer of 2024, as a preview of the Capital of Culture year, Trenčín organised a weekend of festivities across the city. One of the installations – a parklet ordered from an external supplier – was placed on a main street temporarily freed from parking and opened for public use. Despite its high-quality design, residents had mixed feelings. Its predefined form and function, along with the sense that it had been “imported,” made it harder for people to connect with it.
Instead of abandoning the idea, the team reworked it. They dismantled the installation and transformed it into the “Neighbourhood Table” – a piece of infrastructure designed as a central neighbourhood spot where people could gather, talk, exchange ideas, and co-create the space together. This time, instead of presenting a finished solution, the city created a framework for people to shape it themselves. The result was meaningful conversations, shared memories, and a growing sense of ownership and belonging in neighborhoods across the city.
And now, to the heart of the opening weekend – it was truly a weekend of surprises, with new scenes unfolding everywhere. Wherever I looked, a new performance, a new story, a shared experience emerged. From collective book readings to choirs performing in corners of the city, acrobatic shows and theatrical acts on parking lots, knitting workshops in reworked containers and local groups presenting their passions in public spaces – the city felt alive with creativity.
Yet beyond the artistic program, what struck me most was the sense of pride radiating from residents. People paused during walks with their children to take photos, kids played with public installations, embracing these new elements, and elderly residents recorded choir performances on their phones to relive them later. Despite the winter temperatures, the city felt vibrant – full of people strolling, engaging, and making the most of what was on offer. One of the phrases Trenčín used in the lead-up to this title was “cultivating curiosity.” Experiencing the city as a live performance truly embodied that idea – and I have no doubt it will continue throughout the year and beyond.
A key question the Trenčín team has been reflecting on is how to sustain this legacy. The “city as a stage” approach – fuelled by curiosity and the unlocking of potential in every corner – offers a powerful answer. It shows that every resident is invited to become a main character in this shared performance, shaping stories, creating collective experiences, and revealing unexpected possibilities within public space. Once this drive to co-create is set in motion, it doesn’t simply end with the title year – it has all the power to become a part of the city’s identity, lasting far beyond 2026.
