The opening of a site-specific mural by internationally acclaimed artist Rigo 23, followed by a performative programme featuring a film and live action by Polish artist Cecylia Malik, brings together art, environmental activism, and a deep relationship with rivers as living beings.
The mural The River Is Sacred Because of Itself, created for Trenčín – European Capital of Culture 2026, invites us to perceive the Váh River not merely as a geographical feature, but as a sacred entity inseparable from the life of the community. In his work, Rigo 23 draws on experiences with Indigenous communities of Northern California, for whom the river is the centre of the world, and translates this perspective into a European context.
The programme continues with a collective walk from the mural towards the Váh riverbank. There, a participatory performance Sisters of the River at the Váh will take place, led by Cecylia Malik and the Siostry Rzeki collective, symbolically paying tribute to rivers as living beings and sources of life.
The event then moves to the Lodenica, where visitors will watch the documentary film Sisters of the River (2021, 60 min), presenting the collective’s activities and their efforts to protect rivers and raise awareness about the importance of freshwater ecosystems.
Event programme:
- 18:00 Opening of the mural The River Is Sacred Because of Itself, Low-threshold Centre
- 18:30 Walk to the Váh riverbank (Lodenica area)
- 19:00 Performance Sisters of the River at the Váh, Lodenica
- 19:30 Film screening Sisters of the River (2021, 60 min)
About the artists:
Rigo 23 (1966, Madeira, Portugal) is a visual artist and activist working between Europe and the USA. His practice connects public space, social issues, and community collaboration, drawing also on his engagement with Indigenous American communities and their relationship to nature.
Cecylia Malik (1975, Poland) is a visual artist, performer, and environmental activist. She is the founder of the Siostry Rzeki (Sisters of the River) collective, which uses artistic actions and campaigns to advocate for the protection of rivers and freshwater ecosystems in Poland and across Europe.
