Slovakia Today, English Language Current Affairs Programme from Slovak Radio

In this episode, we explore two distinctive cultural events that are helping shape Trenčín’s year as a European Capital of Culture. First, we step inside the Formaat Gallery to experience the world from a completely different perspective — through the eyes and ears of an insect. Audioswarm, created by sound artist John Grzinich, transforms participants into a moving swarm, guiding them through Trenčín on an immersive sonic journey. Discover how the simple speakers in mobile phones can surprise, challenge, and connect audiences in a unique multi-sensory experience. Then, we travel to Japanese Days, a three-day celebration of Japanese culture featuring traditional tea ceremonies, cuisine, crafts, and captivating performances. From the Hviezda Cultural Centre, we hear the story of a Slovak green tea enthusiast, and meet internationally acclaimed performance artist Hiroaki Umeda, who shares how his distinctive artistic vision takes him around the world. Join us as we uncover the sounds, stories, and cultural connections that make Trenčín 2026 a year to remember.