Light Art Festival (LAF) will bring nine light installations by Slovak and international artists to the streets, park, and interiors of Trenčín on 10 and 11 April. The second LAF edition connects light with sound – visitors will experience art that is not only seen but also heard. The event is part of the European Capital of Culture Trenčín 2026 programme and will open with a special audiovisual show by musician FVLCRVM on the façade of the brutalist building ODA in the city centre on Friday at 19:45. Admission is free.
“This year we built the festival around the connection between light and sound. Some installations treat sound design as an equal component of the artwork, while others respond directly to the movement or presence of people. Visitors will be able to not only see the light art but also hear it and truly experience it in space,” says Patrik Kubizna from the Trenčín civic association TRAKT, which organises Light Art Festival.
“The programme features works from Japan, France, Norway, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic, while also giving space to Slovak and Trenčín-based artists. The installations will be spread across the city centre – on public spaces as well as in the interiors – and will be accessible from 19:30 to 23:00. Each work responds to its specific location and offers a distinct atmosphere and way of perceiving light,” adds Kubizna.
The Fusion of Music, Light Design, and Projection
On Friday evening, the festival will open with a unique set by producer FVLCRVM, currently nominated for the Slovak prestigious Radio Heads Awards in five categories, including Album of the Year and Track of the Year 2025. The performance will be accompanied by an audiovisual show by the creative collective Oddysea Studio. The projection and light design created specifically for the brutalist architecture of the ODA building will transform its façade into a pulsating stage. After the opening, the space in front of ODA will come alive with the kinetic installation FLUX by French Collectif Scale, where light, movement, and music merge into a hypnotic “light dance”.
Light Art from Japan to Norway
The festival will feature six international artists and collectives. One of the most prominent names is Japanese artist Chida Yasuhiro, one of the leading figures in contemporary light art. In his works, he creates delicate light “threads” that transform the way we perceive space.
Another international collaboration is the partnership with the Norwegian Factory Light Festival, which specialises in light art in industrial spaces. Their installation will be created specifically for the underground spaces of the Trenčín FOR MAAT gallery.
Become Part of the Artwork
At the opposite end of the festival route, in the mirror hall of KKC Hviezda (Cultural and creative centre Hviezda), Slovak artist Veronika Šmírová will install her work. It will be a n immersive and interactive experience – visitors will be able to enter the installation and move through it. The projection will respond to movement in the space as well as to sound.
Veronika Šmírová is one of the young, distinctive voices in light art and an example of how the European Capital of Culture connects Slovakia with the world. Last year, thanks to Trenčín 2026, she exhibited at the Norwegian Factory Light Festival – and this year the partnership comes full circle, as the Norwegian collective will present its work in Trenčín.
Installation for Children, Guided Tours, and Art on the Train
The festival also has families in mind. Slovak artist Matej Mazák will place his interactive light installation Spooklings in Park Milana Rastislava Štefánika. The playful objects respond to movement and sound, so children can engage with them directly. To learn more about the work and light art, families are invited to an interactive children’s vernissage and a joint launch of the installation at 19:00 on both days.
For art enthusiasts, the festival is preparing guided tours in collaboration with the M. A. Bazovský Gallery, offering an exclusive look at selected works in interior spaces from 19:00. During both days, visitors can enjoy a special light-themed gastronomic offering at participating venues, as well as playful curiosity workshops in collaboration with Trenčín 2026.
Light Art Festival is part of the European Capital of Culture Trenčín 2026. 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.
More details about program: https://www.trencin2026.eu/en/podujatie/light-art-festival-trencin/
— End of press release —
You can download the image attachment by clicking here.
Video of the installation Analemma: http://chidayasuhiro.com/2023/08/07/analemma-at-ushiku/
Media Contact:
Tereza Fojtová, PR Manager tereza.fojtova@trencin2026.eu +421 918 412 621
www.trencin2026.
