Trenčín will come alive with music that breaks genre boundaries. In May, the concert series World Music Fusion kicks off – part of the Trenčín 2026 – European Capital of Culture programme, which, under the motto “Awakening Curiosity,” brings unexpected connections between musical worlds.
In May 2025, the Trenčín region will host exceptional musical encounters. The World Music Fusion series, curated by Jarmila Vlčková, director of the World Music Festival Bratislava, will feature two concerts where tradition meets modernity, folklore blends with jazz, and virtuosity encounters experimentation. The project is part of Trenčín 2026 – European Capital of Culture, aiming to awaken curiosity, nurture cultural diversity, and build new musical bridges between people, genres, and generations.
A concert where the cimbalom sings and the double bass breathes: Ľubomír Gašpar & Adam Ben Ezra
Refectory of the Piarist Grammar School, Trenčín – May 3, 2025, 7:00 PM
Two masters, two instruments, one exceptional musical encounter. Slovak cimbalom player Ľubomír Gašpar, winner of the Radio_Head Awards for his debut Point of View, and Israeli multi-instrumentalist Adam Ben Ezra, a global stage star with millions of online fans, come together on one stage in a unique project. Their musical dialogue blends jazz, funk, world music, and Mediterranean melodies with authentic Slovak folklore.
“It’s been my dream to play with the phenomenal double bassist and multi-instrumentalist Adam Ben Ezra,” says Ľubomír Gašpar.
Folk song as a generational statement: Ondro and Friends
KKC Hviezda, Trenčín – May 26, 2025, 8:00 PM
The ensemble Ondro and Friends, led by musician Ondrej Druga, will present songs from the award-winning album Pod obločkom. In their performance, well-known folk melodies gain a new dimension – enriched with chamber and film music, authentic vocals, and powerful personal reflections. Some songs reflect the stories of the artist’s family during World War II, giving the concert a strong social resonance.
The experience will be deepened by a Singing School of Horehronie Folk Songs, led by Ondrej Druga. Local folk singers from Trenčín will be invited to join – and some of them may even sing on stage during the concert.
Music that Breaks Borders – In Trenčín and Across Europe
“World Music Fusion brings multicultural music and dance performances to Trenčín, where traditional folk expressions blend with modern approaches. The series celebrates Europe’s cultural diversity and connects different cultures and generations. These events will engage a broad audience, enhance the perception of global culture, and build musical bridges between communities – strengthening mutual understanding and tolerance,” says Jarmila Vlčková, curator of the series.
The Trenčín 2026 project is financially supported by the City of Trenčín, the Trenčín Self-Governing Region, the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic, and the European Union.
