Cultural Participation in Smaller European Capitals of Culture: Insights from the Garage Festival, Trenčín 2026

Rafaela Neiva Ganga (), Miriam Šebová (), Dana Kuběnková () and Katarína Rozvadská ()
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Rafaela Neiva Ganga: Liverpool John Moores University, Faculty of Business and Law
Miriam Šebová: Technical University of Košice, Faculty of Economics
Dana Kuběnková: Liverpool John Moores University, Faculty of Business and Law
Katarína Rozvadská: Liverpool John Moores University, Faculty of Business and Law

A chapter in Impact and Legacy of the European Capitals of Culture (ECoC) Program, 2026, pp 3-25 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract In recent years, smaller cities have participated in the European Capitals of Culture (ECoC) initiative to a greater degree, leveraging cultural programs to address broader societal challenges. This chapter examines audience engagement at Garage, one of the flagship cultural events of the Trenčín 2026 program, using survey data from 2023 and 2024. The study identifies shifts in audience demographics, satisfaction levels, and perceptions of placemaking and well-being across sociodemographic groups. By analysing the event’s impact on cultural participation, the research highlights the evolving dynamics of audience engagement and the role of venue selection in shaping cultural experiences. The findings underscore the importance of community-led cultural initiatives in enhancing inclusivity, urban identity, and social cohesion within the ECoC framework, offering valuable insights for future ECoC hosts.

Keywords: Cultural participation; Event satisfaction; Placemaking perceptions; Wellbeing indicators; ECOC awareness and European identity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:prbchp:978-3-032-12205-6_1

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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-12205-6_1

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