European Capital of Culture Trenčín 2026 brings a small Christmas surprise this year – the Carolomat, an interactive installation that combines Christmas songs from all over Europe into one magical experience. Visitors to Štúrovo Square in Trenčín have the opportunity to listen to Christmas melodies from various corners of the European Union and enjoy their diversity. This “cultural periscope,” as its creator Ondřej Kobza calls it, looks like a peculiar iron pipe with a crank, but all you need to do is turn the crank, choose a song, and let yourself be carried away by the sounds of Christmas.
This installation was created with the aim of connecting Trenčín with Europe – not only symbolically but also emotionally. “Music is the universal language of Christmas. Through our Carolomat, we want to awaken curiosity and show how Christmas sounds in different countries,” explains Jarmila Husáková from the Trenčín 2026 team, which is behind this project.
How does it work?
Using the Carolomat is simple but creates a pleasant sense of anticipation. What happens when you turn the crank? A mini guide at the installation will give you a hint:
- Turn the crank about 10 times.
- When the button lights up, select the desired song.
- Listen and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere from a different corner of Europe.
- For each new song, activate the Carolomat again by turning the crank.
In addition to bringing a piece of the festive atmosphere that you wouldn’t otherwise experience, the Carolomat also revitalizes the public space. It’s an opportunity to slow down, look around the square, immerse yourself in the melodies, and for a moment, find yourself in Spain, Estonia, or Portugal.
The Carolomat at Štúrovo Square will be available throughout the entire Christmas season. If you’re not in Trenčín, you can also enjoy the Christmas carols at home – simply scan the QR code on our New Year’s card, which will take you to a selection of these unique songs.
We are awakening curiosity even during the holidays – come and hear it for yourself!
