For seven years now, the Art & Tech Days festival has been bringing world names to Košice, who in their lectures, creations, and workshops point the direction, discover new paths, and push the boundaries.
The theme taking center stage this year is Augmented Humanity. It explores the intersection of human existence and experience with technologies like virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence. The goal is to enhance human potential, expand our senses, and embrace new ways of interacting with both the physical and digital worlds, with a positive impact on culture, art, education, and other aspects of life.
Being a visitor at Art & Tech Days means immersing yourself in the visions of pioneers who turn timeless ideas into unforgettable experiences. This year, the organizers at Creative Industry Košice (CIKE), in collaboration with EIT Culture & Creativity, have managed to bring a powerful lineup of the most influential and forward-thinking speakers. The festival not only tracks current trends but also broadens the way we think about the fusion of culture, art, and technology.

Personalities who push the boundaries of thinking
Expand your leadership potential, learn to think “outside the box,” and forever change your ability to lead – this is what Vik Maraj can help you achieve. As a speaker during the European Culture & Creativity Days, which will take place on October 18 at the Kasárne/Kulturpark in Košice, as well as a coach and facilitator of two workshops, Vik Maraj brings invaluable insight.
One workshop is a full-day session for CEOs and C-level leaders, while the other is designed for anyone looking to break free from assumptions, knowledge, and beliefs they’ve come to accept as “truths.” As a top-tier facilitator, conflict resolution expert, and group behavior specialist, Vik Maraj has changed the future of many organizations, corporations, and NGOs.
At the festival’s main event, the Art & Tech Conference on October 19, Kristína Pomothy will speak about how altered states of consciousness can impact both your personal and professional life. The third wave of the psychedelic renaissance holds great promise for global mental health and well-being. But what is the cost? What are the systemic and cultural challenges of integrating psychoactive substances into the lives of Western societies? Is this our opportunity to expand consciousness science and learn from indigenous communities, or just another consumer-driven trend? Kristína Pomothy will guide the audience through the opportunities and potential pitfalls of one of the fastest-growing fields of human exploration.

Visionaries who will guide you toward innovative and creative solutions
To explore solutions from the absolute best, we need to meet Lou Downe and Timmy Ghiurau.
Lou will lead world-class workshops and speak at the European Culture & Creativity Days conference. Lou Downe is the author of the bestselling book Good Service, which explores how to design effective services. Lou is also behind the creation of the School of Good Services, an organization that helps people develop the skills needed to design and scale services of exceptional quality.
Exploring the future and getting ahead of the curve is the work of innovator Timmy Ghiurau. Co-founder of The Point Labs, he brings a unique blend of innovation and creativity. As Head of Innovation at Volvo Cars, Timmy focuses on virtual and augmented reality and virtual simulations. His main focus is on autonomous cars and UX research, making him a pioneer in cutting-edge technologies. He currently focuses on “futuristic” thinking, innovation management, and interdisciplinary team building. He will also lead an Innovation Workshop on October 18 during Art & Tech Days.

Professionals sharing their experiences
Among the personalities shaping space for other creative enthusiasts, Bernd Fesel, CEO of EIT Culture & Creativity, stands out. He is part of Europe’s largest innovation ecosystem and brings over thirty years of experience in the cultural and creative sectors, always playing a key role in important European initiatives.
Tomáš Gonsorčík, a Slovak strategist and futurist based in New York, will share his extensive experience in strategic marketing. He helps organizations navigate complexity and uncertainty through scenario planning and systems thinking. On October 19, at the Art & Tech Conference, he will approach the theme of Augmented Humanity from the perspective of social media and the fragmentation of a unified narrative.
We’ve introduced a few of the selected speakers, but Art & Tech Days in Košice will bring a whole range of fascinating personalities, creatives, and artists you can meet throughout the festival. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to be inspired by their experiences and creations. Whether you’re interested in technology, media art, innovation, service design, or digital culture, we believe we can provide an experience full of inspiration. Don’t miss the chance to be part of a story that is shaping the future of the creative industry. The festival has become an annual opportunity for networking and new collaborations among cultural and creative enthusiasts.
Join us on October 18 in Kasárne/Kulturpark for the European Culture & Creativity Days, on October 19 for the Art & Tech Conference, or at the workshops and events throughout the festival week.
Art & Tech Days are brought to you by Creative Industry Košice and are held in cooperation with EIT Culture & Creativity. Funded by the European Union, under EIT Culture & Creativity Start Up Grant agreement ID: 101112064. The main partner of the festival is Tatra banka & Tatra banka Foundation. Main partner is Deutsche Telekom IT Solutions Slovakia.