Imagine a single long table for 250 people right in the center of Trenčín. Around it: concerts, film, theatre, lectures, a barbecue, and hundreds of conversations. During two summer evenings, July 17 and 18, you can take a seat, bring something tasty to eat, and experience culture in a slightly different way.
The question is not who will be on stage. The question is what will happen at the table.
And quite a lot will happen.
Music at the Table — The Vegetable Orchestra
A band that literally plays vegetables. Carrots, pumpkins, and leeks become musical instruments in their hands, creating a unique sound experience unlike anything you have heard before.
History at the Table — Katarína Nádaská: The History of Dining
What does the way we eat reveal about us? How have dining customs changed over time, and what can food tell us about society? A lecture about dining culture, traditions, and the stories of people throughout history.
Film at the Table — Kamil Fila: Food in Film – Power, Identity, Desire
A lecture-show exploring how the preparation and consumption of food have been portrayed across different historical periods and film genres. Why are cooking and eating less common in commercial films, while they appear so frequently in art-house cinema? Why does most food in films look unappetizing? And which of the most famous dishes actually originated in movies?
Sport at the Table — AS Trenčín
What role does food play in the world of football? Players from AS Trenčín will talk about shared meals, a multicultural locker room, and how the flavors of home accompany athletes from different countries around the world. And it certainly will not be boring.
Theatre at the Table — Pilát’s Creed (Praktikábel Theatre)
Karel Čapek and Peter Karvaš meet over an open-faced sandwich. This absurd, witty, and intelligent play about an encounter between two major figures of Czechoslovak literature reveals more than you might expect from a simple snack.
Quiz at the Table
There has to be some fun. Form a team, test your knowledge, and find out how much you know—not only about food.
You can bring food from home or purchase it from participating restaurants in the city, which will prepare special menu offerings for the event.
Bring your friends, family, or neighbours, bring your own food for the barbecue, or try dishes with a story from local restaurants. Take a seat at the table, slow down, and enjoy the atmosphere.
Bring your friends, family, or neighbours and enjoy a shared meal together. Bring your own food from home or something to grill, or treat yourself to one of the special festival dishes prepared by participating restaurants in Trenčín. Take a seat at the table, slow down, and savour the atmosphere of dining together.
The event will also feature Breakfast at the Table, organised by the Považie Region. Join us on Saturday, 18 July, at 9:00 am for a relaxed summer morning with the community.
Find out more about the breakfast event.
4:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Grilling at the Table
Bring your friends, family, or neighbours, along with your own food to grill just the way you like it.
Become part of the city barbecue! Bring your own food and prepare it to your taste. Grilling is a great opportunity to meet people, catch up with friends and strangers alike, and enjoy the atmosphere of communal dining in the heart of the city.
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Workshop at the Table
A textile workshop combining creativity, craftsmanship, and sustainability.
Create your own original felt keychains inspired by the world of food. Make colourful fruit, vegetables, and other fun designs to take home as a keyring or backpack accessory. The workshop introduces the basics of felting and demonstrates how wool can be transformed into unique handmade objects.
5:00 PM – 5:15 PM | Opening of At the Table & Tablecloth Dyeing
A live performance demonstrating textile dyeing with natural pigments.
Discover how colours are created from plants, spices, and other natural materials, and explore traditional dyeing techniques that offer a sustainable alternative to synthetic dyes. The demonstration follows the transformation of an ordinary piece of fabric into a unique tablecloth while opening a conversation about environmentally conscious approaches to contemporary design.
The performance is led by Assoc. Prof. Zuzana Šebeková, ArtD., Dipl. Des., Department of Textile Design and the Textile in Industry Laboratory, Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava.
5:15 PM – 6:00 PM | Compost Story at the Table
A puppet theatre performance for children by nevaDIvadlo.
Join a group of insect heroes as they discover how composting helps nature. Something unusual is happening on Currant Street—the currant bush that has protected the insect community for years is beginning to wither. The insects are at a loss until a new resident of the compost arrives. This cheerful story about friendship, teamwork, and small changes that make a big difference introduces children aged 4–10 to composting and environmental care.
Presented in cooperation with the Michal Rešetka Public Library.
6:00 PM – 6:45 PM | Sport at the Table (hosted by Marcel Merčiak)
A unique discussion with AS Trenčín Football Club.
Football is more than what happens on the pitch—it’s also about rituals, shared moments, and food that accompanies every matchday. The discussion explores the role food plays in football, from players’ breakfasts and professional nutrition to fan culture. It also looks at multicultural teams and how food helps players from different countries feel at home while strengthening team identity and togetherness.
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Theatre at the Table – Pilate’s Creed
An absurd and humorous theatre performance in which Karel Čapek and Peter Karvaš meet at the table, questioning truth, history, and reality.
Set in 1938, the production follows an imaginary meeting between the two great Czechoslovak writers over open-faced sandwiches. Directed by Matej Feldbauer, the performance blends black humour, visual imagination, and theatrical experimentation into a witty reflection on truth and history.
8:30 PM – 9:30 PM | Concert at the Table – The Vegetable Orchestra (Austria)
Experience the world-famous Vegetable Orchestra, where fresh vegetables become musical instruments. Carrots, celery, peppers, and more are transformed into an extraordinary musical performance combining contemporary music, electronic beats, free jazz, noise, and experimental sounds.
4:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Grilling at the Table
Bring your own food and enjoy another evening of communal grilling.
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Workshop at the Table
Continue creating original felt food-inspired keychains while learning traditional felting techniques.
5:00 PM – 5:15 PM | Setting the Table
Presentation of the naturally dyed tablecloth during a communal dining experience.
5:15 PM – 6:00 PM | History at the Table with Katarína Nádaská
From festive tables to city feasts: the evolution of dining traditions
Renowned ethnologist Katarína Nádaská explores the history of dining customs from the Middle Ages through the post-World War II era. Learn about royal banquets, noble and burgher dining, village traditions, medieval delicacies, shared meals from a single bowl, the origins of morning and afternoon snacks, and how eating habits evolved over the centuries. Food is presented not only as nourishment but also as a reflection of social status, family life, celebrations, and culture.
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM | Quiz at the Table
Bring your team and test your knowledge—not only about food—in an entertaining quiz hosted by Quizmaster Michal.
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM | The Future of Food at the Table – Slovak Design Centre
Discover the fascinating world of biomaterials and circular design, where food waste, plants, and manufacturing by-products are transformed into innovative materials for fashion, product design, and architecture. During this talk, you’ll see real samples of experimental materials and learn the stories behind their creation.
8:15 PM – 9:00 PM | Fiesta at the Table with Felix y su Banda
No barbecue is complete without a fiesta! Enjoy Mexican rhythms and popular hits performed live by Felix y su Banda.
9:15 PM – 10:15 PM | Film at the Table with Kamil Fila
A lecture-show about food in cinema.
Why do filmmakers show people eating? Why does food often look unappetising on screen? Which famous dishes were invented in films? This engaging presentation explores the role of food in cinema across genres and historical periods.
Several popular restaurants and cafés in Trenčín are joining the festival with signature dishes that tell their own stories. If you don’t feel like grilling or bringing your own food, stop by one of the participating venues and enjoy their festival specials—from gourmet burgers and beer-marinated ribs to Neapolitan pizza, artisan gelato, the legendary Tuna Melt, and fresh brunch favourites.
Mestský Hostinec
Premium organic beef burgers
Inspired by the traditional city inn, where people of every profession gathered around one table, Mestský Hostinec continues the tradition of bringing people together through honest food. Their burgers feature premium organic beef from the EKO Farm in Turová near Zvolen, handcrafted brioche buns, and homemade fries made from Agria potatoes.
Lanius Brewery
Roasted ribs marinated in dark beer
The story dates back to the Middle Ages when an inn stood on the road to Trenčín Castle. The brewery takes its name from Thomas Lanius, a butcher who owned the house in 1649. Their festival speciality—dark beer-marinated roasted ribs—honours this rich culinary heritage.
Mgusto Cukráreň
Neapolitan pizza
The story began in Naples, where Matúš learned the art of authentic Neapolitan pizza from local pizzaioli. Traditional techniques and respect for simple, quality ingredients remain the foundation of their cuisine.
KUKI
Special burger with homemade fries & Mango Chicken Poké (including lemonade)
Founded nine years ago as a cosy café serving breakfast and snacks, KUKI has grown into one of Trenčín’s favourite street food restaurants, known for fresh poké bowls, salads, and signature burgers with melted cheddar.
Oilà Artisan Gelato
Bronte Sicilian Pistachio Gelato
Made from the famous Bronte pistachios grown on the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna, this handcrafted gelato uses only natural ingredients and traditional methods to deliver the authentic taste of Sicily.
Paddock Café
Tuna Melt Sandwich
First introduced in 2016, the Tuna Melt quickly became the café’s signature dish. Combining toasted bread, tuna, cheddar, red onion, Dijon mayonnaise, and chives, it remains a favourite among locals and symbolises friendship, hospitality, and shared meals.
Fresh Snack
Fresh Benedict & Fresh Tapas To Go
What started ten years ago as a simple idea—to prepare fresh, honest food—has become one of Trenčín’s favourite food destinations. Run by a dedicated team of women, Fresh Snack prepares everything daily in the city centre, from breakfasts and catering to sandwiches and tapas, with passion, care, and attention to quality.
