A unique audiovisual experience is being brought to you by the Trenčín 2026 project in cooperation with the Hviezda Cultural and Creative Centre. The event will combine silent films and live music—a screening of two film classics from 1921 with original musical accompaniment performed by Slovak and Norwegian artists. Visitors can look forward to a new perspective on cinematic works that will come to life thanks to contemporary musical interpretation. Admission to the event, which will begin with the screening of the first film on Monday, 17 March at 17:00 and the second at 19:00, is free.
Film classics with modern music
Two exceptional screenings are on the programme. The first is Jánošík (1921), the first Slovak feature film, made by Slovak emigrants in the USA. Musical accompaniment will be provided by Slovak multi-instrumentalist and composer Dávid Kollár, a nominee for the national film award Slnko v sieti. Together with Norwegian jazz trumpeter Nils Petter Molvær, they will breathe new, captivating life into this historical story.
The second treat of the evening will be the Norwegian silent film The Blessing of the Earth (Markens Grøde, 1921), inspired by the novel of the same name by Nobel Prize-winning author Knut Hamsun. The original story about the settlement of the “empty” northern land is viewed critically today—the indigenous Sámi people, who had lived in the area for centuries, were portrayed controversially. However, the new adaptation, under the direction of Svein Schultz, changes the perspective— it is the Lapps themselves who are given a voice, thus symbolically ‘taking over’ the story. The musical accompaniment by a Norwegian-Lappanese ensemble enhances the powerful visual-musical experience.
Films like you’ve never seen them before
“Imagine you’re in a cinema and at a concert at the same time. The images on the screen come to life to the accompaniment of live music and are transformed into a unique audiovisual experience. This project combines history with the present and shows how music can completely change the perception of a cinematic classic. We want to offer the audience a deeper and more emotional experience,” says project manager Martin Mazán from the Trenčín 2026 team.
An unusual free movie night
This unique evening is an opportunity to experience the films in a completely different way—with original, live music that gives them new meaning. Admission is free; just turn up and let yourself be drawn into the atmosphere of the last century combined with contemporary musical interpretation.
The event is part of the Inclusion Film Festival and was created in cooperation with Trenčín 2026 and KKC Hviezda within the Culture Connects – Trebø More Culture project. Co-funded by EEA and Norway Grants.
More information at trencin2026.eu.
