The Slovenian city of Nova Gorica and the Italian city of Gorizia will share the title of European Capital of Culture. In a landscape with fertile hills, orchards and vineyards of the Brda and Vipava valleys, where the emerald-green Soča River meanders out of the heart of the Alps, and where the mysterious Karst and the Adriatic Sea are only a glance away, the “Austrian Nizza” gained a young, modern neighbor after the end of the Second World War.
Historically, the division of Gorizia into the Italian and Slovenian sides resulted from the 1947 Treaty of Paris, which redrew the borders between Italy and Yugoslavia. Gorizia remained in Italy, while Yugoslavia created Nova Gorica on its side to serve as the Slovenian counterpart. Today the municipality of Nova Gorica has around 32,000 inhabitants, while Gorizia has around 34,000. Over time, with Slovenia’s accession to the EU and Schengen, the two cities formed a unique cross-border community, fostering close cultural, social and economic ties despite their political division. Since Slovenia joined the Schengen Area in 2007, border crossings with Italy have been unrestricted. Under the motto “GO! Borderless”, Nova Gorica and Gorizia will now join forces to create an innovative, cross-border cultural experience that invites everyone to discover and celebrate the rich, interwoven heritage of both cities.
This context emphasizes the significance of the “Go! Borderless” as Nova Gorica-Gorizia serves as the European Capital of Culture 2025, highlighting the importance of cultural exchange and cross-border cooperation. “GO! 2025” presents a wide range of high-profile events and cultural highlights that celebrate the unique character of the region.
Discover additional facts and explore the full programme at GO! 2025 Calendar of Events. Highlights include a concert by renowned pianist Alexander Gadjiev under the stunning Solkan Bridge, the world’s largest stone arch railway bridge, and a dance performance by the international MN Dance Company in a nearby quarry. Globally acclaimed fashion designer Matea Benedetti will launch a sustainable clothing line crafted from vegan and organic materials, raising awareness of the fashion industry’s environmental impact. Her collections Benedetti Life, showcased on prestigious red carpets, advocate for the protection of endangered species.
Additionally, a music installation called Tree Orchestra will be installed in the Rafut park of the Laščak Villa, which will be restored by 2025. Visitors will explore the park with a specially designed app, where QR codes scattered among the trees will unlock orchestral instruments that will form symphonic works by the Dresdner Sinfoniker, whose members will gather in Nova Gorica to record together. By redesigning the Europe Square, the centrepiece of the project, the cities are demonstrating how art and culture can connect people and cities.
The collaborative approach represents a forward-looking vision for a new kind of cooperation that transcends geographical barriers. In addition to cultural events, the project also promotes sustainable urban development. It focuses on initiatives such as the Epic programme, which reinterprets the region’s historical and cultural narratives, and green projects such as the creation of urban forests and habitats for insects and bats.
“We are proud to be the first cross-border European Capital of Culture in 2025,” say the mayors of Nova Gorica and Gorizia, Samo Turel and Rodolfo Ziberna. “Our common goal is to bring people closer together through art and culture and to build lasting bridges between our cities and the world.” With its multidisciplinary programme of art, music, theater, architecture and gastronomy, the region between the Alps and the Adriatic will become a fascinating cultural melting pot. Visitors will have a unique opportunity to discover the region’s rich history: Culture is not defined by borders, but by horizons.
Written by GO! 2025
