The European Capital of Culture opens up another important theme—intergenerational living and communication in the city. We spoke with two members of the four-person team behind the new project Generations Together, which was created for Trenčín 2026 and is now being implemented.
Mads Floor Andersen, a Danish experimental artist and performer, and Dominika Belanská, an artist and facilitator who engages people in shaping their city, shared their insights with us.
What can people in Trenčín expect from "Generations Together"?
"We invite people of all ages to explore various places in Trenčín together, to observe, reflect, and discover new situations while sharing stories—not just through words. They will experience unusual things, like cooking together. We’ll try out new ways of expressing what we perceive. The time spent dedicated to the city, the people around us, and ourselves will connect people and inspire them in their everyday lives in the city."
What will these activities bring to Trenčín?
"We aim to foster stronger connections among the city’s residents across generations. We’ll exchange experiences and knowledge, creating shared memories of discovering new layers of the city that we may not have seen before. We’ll look at the city from the perspectives of others, who may be older, younger, or have different life experiences."
Why is your team focusing on this topic?
"The creative team behind the project—Rokko Juhász, Viktor Fuček, Dominika Belanská, and Mads Floor Andersen—are all people active in the field of culture. We’ve worked together individually on various projects that connect people through art and culture. Through performance art, architecture, and music, we create new ways of being together—in the community and public spaces. We feel that the world needs kindness and mutual respect, and we want to create a society where people support each other and work together. We’ve invited other people from different parts of Europe and the world to help us realize this vision in Trenčín."
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Photo: Matúš Ondruš
October is the Month of Respect for the Elderly. During this time, various gatherings for seniors take place, and children in kindergartens and schools prepare programs and gifts for their grandparents. But how should we, in your opinion, express respect for the elderly in our daily lives, and not just once a year?
"Everything you mentioned is a beautiful way to show respect to the elderly and express our connection. We are all part of society, and we need mutual respect. The elderly are the bearers of culture—they pass on traditions and share their knowledge and experiences from the past. What can we do at any time? We can learn to simply be present, to be there for the people around us, including the elderly. To stop, truly listen, and acknowledge what they perceive and are trying to communicate to us. We all need to be seen and heard."
You can already participate in the first events of the Generations Together project this October. It will involve creating together in various ways: through film, photography, cooking, movement, and voice. People of all ages are welcome to join, just make sure to sign up in time (ideally by October 10th) online or at the KIC (Cultural and Information Center). More information and registration form here: www.generaciespolu.sk
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