Representatives of the city of Trenčín and Finnish Oulu took over on Friday at the Slovenian-Italian border the symbolic relay of the European Capital of Culture (ECC) for 2026 from the cities of Nova Gorica and Chemnitz. TASR was informed about this by EHMK PR manager Tereza Fojtová.
- The Trenčín program focuses on the cultural transformation of the city through art.
- The opening of EHMK 2026 will take place on 13-15 February in the city center.
Trenčín bases its program for the year 2026 on the vision of culture as a force that, with courage, respect and cooperation with the residents, awakens curiosity and transforms the city from the inside. “Winning the title is not only a historic moment, but also an opportunity for transformation – for our city, the region and the people who live here. Culture has the power to bring energy, visibility and long-term value,” said Trenčín Vice Mayor Patrik Žák.
The EHMK 2026 team is preparing for next year with a clear vision – to involve residents, revive public spaces and develop cultural infrastructure even after the end of the titular year. “The title is a catalyst for change. We are already working with artists from all over Europe, while simultaneously involving local residents, schools and communities. The democratization of public space is also an important part of our vision – we transform streets and squares into places of everyday life,” added project director Stanislav Krajči.
The opening weekend of EHMK Trenčín 2026 will take place from February 13 to 15, 2026. The program will take place in the historic center of the city, but also in schools, cultural institutions and public spaces. It will be a taste of the year-long program, which will offer dozens of projects across genres and generations. EHMK 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 project partner is the European Union. The patronage of the project was taken over by the President of the Slovak Republic, Peter Pellegrini.
