A site-specific mural by internationally acclaimed artist Rigo 23. Created for the project Trenčín – European Capital of Culture 2026, the mural The River Is Sacred for Its Own Sake invites viewers 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 also draws on his experiences with the Indigenous peoples of Northern California, for whom the river represents the centre of the world, bringing this perspective into a European context.
Rigo 23 (1966, Madeira, Portugal) is a visual artist and activist working between Europe and the United States. His artistic practice connects public space, social issues, and collaboration with communities, while also drawing inspiration from his engagement with Indigenous peoples of the Americas and their relationship with nature.
