The fifth edition of the Kopanice bez hranice festival, held at Vrbovčianska izba, offered the Kopanice community a unique platform for exploring contemporary visual art. Its goal was to connect local residents with newcomers, younger generations with older ones, and to showcase works by professional artists alongside local artistic groups.

​

Invited artists, selected through an Open Call, created site-specific installations that reflected the traditional rural character of the space through the contemporary approach. The exhibition, titled Beyond the Comfort Zone, featured works by Ján Hrčka, Kristína Kandriková, Peta Čížková, Juraj Toman, Miloš Kopták, Ové Pictures, Dávid Bátora, Jakub Mlynarčík, and Jozef Fugger. Visitors had the opportunity to step beyond their usual perspectives and enrich themselves with fresh ideas and insights.

​

Curated tours and artist meet-ups allowed attendees to gain a deeper understanding of the artworks and engage in discussions about their meaning. The festival grounds also came alive with a vibrant music program, featuring performances by Trombitáši Štefánikovci, Tusté Baletky, Zdenka Trvalcová and Ivan Mer, The Shaldos, Richard Havel, and Alakesh Dutta with local musicians. Emerging talent also had a chance to shine, including the debut of Kapela tvojej Mamki.

​

The festival included workshops for both children and adults, where participants learned art techniques with Milos Turan and Martina Krúpova or basket weaving with Miroslav Mareček. A participatory installation in a barn invited visitors to paint and upcycle Jozef Fugger's work. Additional activities, such as tractor-pulled train rides and horseback riding, especially delighted the youngest attendees.

The festival created a unique space that merged art, tradition, and community, enriching the region's cultural life. The expanded area of Vrbovčianska izba museum has become a cultural hub, capable of hosting not only local celebrations but also the Kopanice bez hraníc festival with international participation.

The festival significantly expanded its visitor base, received excellent feedback from the professional community, and continues to grow both in scale and quality. The ongoing discussion in the village about the importance of presenting contemporary art in rural areas underscores the relevance and necessity of this project, which bridges generations and brings people together.