ICOM International Conference - Museums in Times of Uncertainty

ICOM International Conference

Museums in Times of Uncertainty: Protection, Responsibility, and Resilience of Cultural Heritage

May 27–28, 2026, Trenčín, European Capital of Culture 2026

ICOM Slowakia in cooperation with ICOM Austria, ICOM Czech Republic, ICOM Hungary, ICOM Poland

We are pleased to invite you to participate in the upcoming international professional conference organized by the Slovak Committee of ICOM which will take place on May 27–28, 2026, in Trenčín, in cooperation with the Trenčín Museum and the Creative Institute Trenčín. The conference will focus on the role of museums during periods of social, political, environmental, and security uncertainties. It provides a platform for professional discussion on topics such as the protection of cultural heritage (including illegal trade), crisis management, ethics, institutional autonomy, as well as the daily practices of museums in the changing conditions of the Central European region.

The full programm will be released shortly!!!

The conference will take place from the morning session on 27 May 2026 to the afternoon session on 28 May 2026. Each day will include an organized professional excursion:

27 May 2026 – Tour of Trenčín city center (Trenčín Synagogue, historical city center, Trenčín Castle)
28 May 2026 – Beckov Castle, RONA Lednické Rovne-GLASS Factory, and Draškovič Mansion – Čachtice Museum

We believe that this conference will create a space for sharing experiences, professional reflection, and mutual support at a time when the role of museums in society is becoming increasingly complex and demanding. We look forward to your contributions and to meeting you in Trenčín!

Sincerely,
Slovak Committee of ICOM

Accommodation

Please arrange your accommodation individually. As Trenčín will be the European Capital of Culture in 2026, capacities are filling up quickly, so we recommend booking as soon as possible.

Recommended hotels: