Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights Ann Abel is a Lisbon-based writer covering luxury travel with a soulFollow AuthorMar 29 12:45pm EDTShareSaveComment@font-face{font-family: "Schnyder"; src: url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/schnyders/schnyders-bold-webfont.woff2") format("woff2") url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/schnyders/schnyders/schnyders-bold-webfont.woff") format("woff"); font-weight: 700; font-style: normal;} @font-face{font-family: "Merriweather"; src: url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/merriweather/merriweather-bold-webfont.woff2") format("woff2") url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/merriweather/merriweather-bold-webfont.woff") format("woff"); font-weight: 700; font-style: normal;} @font-face{font-family: "Euclid"; src: url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/euclidcircularb/euclidcircularb-bold-webfont.woff2") format("woff2") 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.quote-embed.font-accent #article-stream-0 .quote-embed .font-accent{font-family: Schnyder,"Noto Sans","Droid Sans","Helvetica Neue",Corbel,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;} #article-stream-0 .quote-embed.font-size p #article-stream-0 .quote-embed .font-size p{font-size: 36px;}A dancer in Europe Square part of the celebrations for the European Capital of Culture But now the tourism leaders are working to show off their culture The clearest manifestation of that is the investment in putting forward Nova Gorica as a cultural capital the far-western Slovenian city of Nova Gorica and its Italian neighbor are sharing the title of European Capital of Culture food and wine events—that makes them especially interesting to visit It's also a big symbolic deal because not only is it the first time two cities in different countries have shared this designation but also because of the particular history of these two cities Although the whole area was once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire Nova Gorica and Gorizia spent a good part of the 20th century in different realities they were separated by an impassable physical barrier—a museum documents the ingenious ways people smuggled blue jeans laundry detergent and pornography—which was dismantled only in 2004 That fence ran across what’s now the open Transalpina Square (or Europe Square in Slovenian) presidents and ministers from both countries spoke about the “borderlessness” and European values of the endeavor and everyone moved to the Slovenian side for a party with live music light mapping and acrobats descending the walls of municipal buildings new walking and cycling paths remain as links between the two cities The Italian half of the combined municipality has many of the expected northern Italian charms It’s known locally as the “sleeping beauty” for its low-key grandeur The pastel-colored buildings of Piazza Vittoria date from the 18th century and its central Fountain of Neptune was designed by the architect of a Viennese castle A medieval castle is still perched on a hill above which was established in 1876 and appears to have changed little since—have red-and-white cloths on the tables crocheted cozies on the grappa bottles and hearty menus of prosciutto sweet gnocchi in Mitteleuropa style and sautéed Fruilian salami with yellow polenta (But these appear beside traditionally Slavic dishes like goulash.) The Yugoslavian government built it after World War II in response to the loss of Gorizia to Italy The mid-20th-century socialist architecture is less obviously beautiful—though the master plan is the work of Edvard Ravnikar a student of Le Corbusier—but the form of its function eventually grows on you Its gridded streets are arrayed around green spaces and open plazas are centers of life between the utilitarian buildings There’s a good amount of art mixed in, thanks in part to the Art Circle, which was founded in 2011 as an international festival of visual arts in and around the city whose visiting artists contribute works that remain part of the city’s fabric A key part was the creation of nearly two dozen art embassies in which curators from various countries take over Slovenian (and Italian) spaces to mount their artists’ exhibitions host residencies and organize events in his studio and exhibition space at the edge of the city Paintings by the Art Circle’s artistic director, the Nova Gorica–born Klemen Brun—nudes in the breakfast room—are part of the visual language of the city’s most intriguing place to stay. The bedrooms of the DAM boutique hotel are dark and seductive tufted velvet cushions and Helmut Newton photography who admits his business-partner father was a bit taken aback by the art collection is also the chef of the hotel’s restaurant which holds one Michelin star for its inventive tasting menus using strongly Slovenian ingredients she’s keen on itineraries that combine the city with some of the loveliest valleys around it (and not only the famous Soča one) the Vipava Valley is still known as a premier spot for hiking but it’s also appealing for slower pursuits The town of Vipava is known—at least by the tourism promoters—as the “Venice of Slovenia” for its waterways and bridges there are exhibitions from Slovenian artists on the walls and in the gallery at Gostilna Krhne a 100-year-old inn in the center of town that serves an excellent casual bistro menu and regional wines from small producers In the nearby mountain town of Pedrovo—itself impeccably preserved—Hiša Artes is an impressive contemporary art gallery with a handful of stylish serviced apartments attached And then there’s the culture of hospitality. The stylish glamping lodge Theodosius Forest Village is a collection of nine contemporary cabins—mostly wood but also one gorgeous mirrored cube—surrounded by beech Some have private saunas inside while others have special inox Jacuzzis on their terraces and all have access to a lavish breakfast of local sweets sausages and special teas made from forest plants Other food highlights include the artisanal cheeses produced from organic goat milk at Čilčevi in Pedrovo and the decidedly funky ones at Golden Ring Cheese which are made from raw cow milk from the mountains and aged for four months in century-old tunnels that were abandoned by the Italian army is the Michelin-starred showplace for Tomaž Kavčič one of the best-known chefs in Slovenia and a master of blending the traditional and the modern His seven-course menu is relentlessly seasonal—a server might point out that the unusually crunchy trout eggs were harvested the very same day or that the rose-shaped radicchio is a special treat only in February—but it always wraps up with a theatrical “gin and tonic” pre-dessert that covers the table in a cloud of juniper-scented dry ice While the tourism cheerleaders are calling Vipava the Venice of Slovenia they’re likening the Brda Hills to Tuscany They have a point—it’s a region of vineyards the northernmost olive groves in Europe and charming villages—but it’s also a disservice to a place that has a character (and a much smaller scale) that’s all its own And part of that character is again its art and culture The Art Circle maintains a dozen embassies there including a great German one at the family-owned Ščurek winery and guest house (where even the barrels in the aging room are adorned and others are decorated with big-eyed portraits by Slovenian painter Rudi Skočir) which not only produces award-winning olive oil but also has a small guest house filled with eclectic furnishings from the owners’ extensive travels around Asia It's not only the international and the worldly that inform the Brda Hills highly preserved village of Šmartno was an important strategic defense post between the 16th and 18th centuries and today the fortified settlement is a cultural monument There’s a cute little museum that depicts a traditional house The owner of the tavern Hiša Marica still serves his grandmother’s recipes and he’s justifiably proud of the grass-fed prosciutto that he matures for four years before piling it onto plates in the fireplace-warmed dining room the Art Circle’s Italian embassy is set up in the Al di Là guest house where the snug rooms and larger apartment are filled with historic details such as floating glass-and-metal staircases and contemporary artworks and the local and international that together make Nova Gorica a place worth knowing Nova Gorica and Gorizia will reunite as the first transnational European Capital of Culture (Credit: Getty Images)In 1947 Gorizia was abruptly split between Italy and Slovenia the two towns will reunite as the first transnational European Capital of Culture I'm standing in Nova Gorica – a modest but beautiful planned Modernist town in Slovenia with a population of 30,000 I can cross an invisible border into Italy to the medieval town of Gorizia Nova Gorica and Gorizia were one; the two cities were created – and separated – in 1947 after World War Two when the Treaty of Paris established Europe's new borders restricting travel between Italy and the former Yugoslavia An Allied commission determined that Gorizia should belong to Italy and the less-developed part of town should be part of the Slovenian republic within the Socialist Federalist Republic of Yugoslavia The new town was to be called Nova Gorica (New Gorizia) Nova Gorica and Gorizia have existed as two towns split across two countries But with Slovenia's entry into the EU in 2004, the border between them was dissolved, allowing a cross-cultural exchange for the first time in generations. And in 2025, Gorizia/Nova Gorica will reunite as the first transnational European Capital of Culture, in a project called GO!2025 between two and five million visitors are expected to descend upon the two towns in 2025 compared to the usual 250,000 annual tourists That's a big leap for an otherwise under-touristed even if Gorizia was dubbed "the Austrian Nice" from 1867 to 1918 when it was part of Austria-Hungary including musical and dance performances and art exhibits Though cut from the same cloth, the two towns couldn't be more different. Medieval Gorizia is old-worldly, cobblestoned and lined with lively cafes, dominated by an imposing castle that features an expansive museum packed with interactive exhibits and high-tech installations that portray life in the castle through the ages Nova Gorica – designed to show the world that Josip Broz Tito's Yugoslavia was capable of large-scale urban development– is Modernist with concrete architecture laid out in lines is the most obvious clue that you've crossed a border once known mostly as a centre of casinos and nightlife for Italians I'm not surprised that it has not been on my radar despite the fact that I have lived in Slovenia for more than a decade although Nova Gorica seems unglamorous on first sight crumbling palaces and tucked-away Social Realist frescoes – all relics of its turbulent history the status of European Capital of Culture will offer millions a chance to be charmed and intrigued The European Capital of Culture is awarded by the EU each year to two towns (the other 2025 selection is Chemnitz Towns apply nearly a decade in advance for this status including EU funding for programming and new infrastructure like monuments and bridges As the first transnational application for the title the joint bid was particularly engaging; it's refreshing to have a Capital of Culture that contains an intentionally open border and that celebrates the cultures on each side of it The idea of a "borderless" capital a laboratory on how nations can better connect and cooperate navigating multiple languages and political systems Administratively Gorizia and Nova Gorica are two towns but in practice almost everyone who lives here speaks both Slovenian and Italian and locals live and work on whichever side of the border they prefer is a Slovenian music journalist raised in Nova Gorica but lives in Gorizia because he likes the vibe You won't always be aware of when you cross between the countries; since 2004 there has been no checkpoint and no barrier the border is celebrated at Piazza Transalpina (Transalpine Square) in front of the main train station (technically in Slovenia) where tourists line up to have their photos taken standing half in Slovenia This is where the most expansive intervention has taken place as part of the GO!2025 programme with the square newly transformed into a cultural performance and museum space that includes both an underground art gallery and amphitheatre-like step seating that rise up like wings on either side of the border point Gorizia/Nova Gorica's very borderlessness means that its history is complicated as it passed so frequently into different political hands: it was owned by the Habsburgs and now by Italy (Gorizia) and Slovenia (Nova Gorica) My father was born in the Kingdom of Italy they'd be born in Slovenia – Evelin BizjakEvelin Bizjak gave me an example as we stood outside the Slovenian smuggling museum "We live in a house near Solkan," she said naming the world's longest stone arch bridge "My grandma was born in Austria-Hungary skip and a jump in the other direction is Muzej na Meji Each was built in their respective customs house and the two miniature museums offer complimentary exhibits – the point is to visit both and cross the border The museums reveal what life was like along a border Yugoslavs could cross with a special booklet that functioned as a day pass to travel a maximum of 30km It contained vouchers that allowed you to buy goods unavailable in Yugoslavia to bring back home bananas and chocolate were the hottest commodities for Yugoslavs while Italians crossed the other way for meat and homemade schnapps You had to smuggle anything more than what your vouchers permitted A T-shirt sold by the Slovenian smuggling museum features a Yugo car with various illicit goods hidden in the panelling families had two months to decide if they wanted to be Yugoslav or Italian," said Alex Tamer "Everyone around here has family on both sides." Those who chose to be Yugoslav became the first residents of Nova Gorica a municipal project that turned the cluster of houses and farms that had existed in the outskirts of Gorizia into a new town proper • A local musician's cultural guide to Nova Gorica, the 2025 Capital of Culture • How a 'boring' Arctic town became Europe's Capital of Culture • The design that changed European cities The design was entrusted to modernist architect Edvard Ravnikar and thousands of residents of far-flung Yugoslav territories were invited to build the town in exchange for free housing and jobs in the new factories But only about a quarter of it was built to Ravnikar's design leaving the feel of Nova Gorica less a complete thought than an unfinished notion The final stop on my tour of town is Kostanjevica a 16th-Century hilltop Franciscan church covered with scent-heady Bourbon roses and gnarled chestnut trees The church was nearly levelled in World War One but lovingly restored after bombs tore apart all but the floor and the presbytery But the main attraction is in the whitewashed crypt: six polished marble coffins that contain the remains of the French king Charles X Bourbon (1757–1836) and members of his family His heart was removed and interred with him Charles X was the last Bourbon king of France and the only French king to be buried outside of France but his reign was so unpopular that France didn't want his body So Charles' family buried him beneath the local church in a coffin that stands on a plinth containing French soil Perhaps a transnational town is a fitting resting place for a Franco-Austrian royal family with no kingdom to rule As I step out of the cool darkness of the marble-lined crypt I can see both Gorizia and Nova Gorica from this hilltop The Adriatic is just 30km away to the south This is where these climates meet and where two cultures and nationalities have coexisted almost entirely in harmony It's the perfect place to see how borderlessness can function smoothly in practice and GO!2025 offers an ideal chance to explore and celebrate one of the true transnational places in Europe If you liked this story, sign up for The Essential List newsletter – a handpicked selection of features For more Travel stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. 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Nova Gorica: brutalist high-rise apartment blocks and a vibrant arts scene Europe's first 'borderless' Capital of Culture reunites two towns – one in Italy one in Slovenia – that were split apart by war with a "brutal metal barrier" separating the two halves Gorizia in Italy and Nova Gorica – the "idealistic" new town established on the other side of the border in 1947 in what is now Slovenia – are set to become the "first-ever single European capital of culture to combine cities in two countries" While the towns have garnered "little attention" over the years an "ambitious" calendar of 600 cultural events will kick off in both towns spanning everything from art exhibits and film viewings to live shows and music performances From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox While both towns are "cut from the same cloth", there's a stark contrast between them, said Noah Charney on BBC Culture while Nova Gorica is a Modernist town with a "relative newness" and "concrete architecture laid out in lines" It may seem "unglamorous" at first but look carefully and you'll soon discover "hidden gardens crumbling palaces and tucked-away Social Realist frescoes" The square has been "transformed" into a cultural performance and museum space that includes "an underground art gallery and amphitheatre-like step seating that rise up like wings on either side of the border point" In Gorizia, the "sunny terrace" at the Mama Angela bar is an ideal setting to sip orange wine and marvel at the "glorious baroque church" and "romantic pastel palaces" in the Piazza della Vittoria consider renting a bike and cycling to Smart Space – a "cutting-edge" multimedia museum that provides a comprehensive introduction to Gorizia's "complex history" complete with "startling virtual-reality experiences" It's also worth visiting the "light-hearted" Italian smuggling museum at the border What makes the region really stand out is the "rugged hilly countryside" on both sides of the border It's hard to believe the peaceful "patchwork quilt of farms and fields" was once "one of the bloodiest battlefields of the First World War" the vineyards here produce "some of the finest wines in Italy "the population is young" and there's a "big student community" Italians cross into the Slovenian town for a "taste of the great outdoors" and exploring the "maze of bike tracks and walking paths" in the nearby forests Be sure to visit the Nova Gorica Arts Centre, which local musician and cultural ambassador Tijana Boric tells BBC Culture is the "heartbeat" of the town's "vibrant arts scene" The centre "champions" up-and-coming Slovenian artists and hosts regular exhibits and performances And to "soak up the city's edgy music scene" head to Mostovna – a "punky" industrial space where you can "catch anything from rock soul and orchestral music to comedy and art exhibitions" Before you leave, head to Kostanjevika, said Charney on BBC Culture. The 16th-century hilltop Franciscan monastery is surrounded by "scent-heady Bourbon roses and gnarled chestnut trees", and has been "lovingly restored" since it was almost entirely destroyed during the First World War. It's the "perfect place" to soak up the sweeping views across both towns. A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com Irenie Forshaw is a features writer at The Week She began her career in journalism at Leeds University before working at The Guardian and The New Statesman Group Irenie then became a senior writer at Elite Traveler This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page your new go-to podcast to spice up your weekday mornings with relevant news and behind-the-scenes from Brussels and beyond From the economy to the climate and the EU's role in world affairs this talk show sheds light on European affairs and the issues that impact on our daily lives as Europeans Tune in to understand the ins and outs of European politics Dare to imagine the future with business and tech visionaries Deep dive conversations with business leaders Euronews Tech Talks goes beyond discussions to explore the impact of new technologies on our lives the podcast provides valuable insights into the intersection of technology and society Europe's water is under increasing pressure floods are taking their toll on our drinking water Join us on a journey around Europe to see why protecting ecosystems matters and to discover some of the best water solutions an animated explainer series and live debate - find out why Water Matters We give you the latest climate facts from the world’s leading source analyse the trends and explain how our planet is changing We meet the experts on the front line of climate change who explore new strategies to mitigate and adapt Big project administration is challenging even in the best of circumstances. So when the Slovenian city of Nova Gorica announced its candidacy for European City of Culture 2025 the fact that half the city is actually in Italy and has a different name was a unique hurdle And with just over a month until the red-letter year begins cooperation is looking as good as the hugely eclectic programme Both sides of the city have proved in the past that they have the energy for such cooperation. One only has to glance back to 2020 to see how, in a city segregated by an imposed COVID border fence both Slovenians and Italians used the very thing that separated them as a tool to show their togetherness "We organised volleyball on both sides of the fence and people were playing across the volleyball," explains Andreja Agrež, head of marketing for Slovenia's 'GO! 2025' campaign "There was a borderless bar and there was one chair on the Italian side and one on the Slovenian side and there were people drinking coffee very emotional being there every day because the families that used to see each other every day couldn't touch except through the fence because it was literally closed for months." "When the project started it didn't seem so unusual, because from the start it was originated in Slovenia and in Italy," says Agrež the first paper writers started speaking to authorities in Slovenia and Italy comparing to other cities of course in Slovenia and other nominations of course it was very unorthodox in that sense The fence went up in 2020 while the city was still very much in the candidacy stage and although there was enforced separation cooperation between the two administrations in the face of the pandemic became a building block for cultural success "There's always a specific topic that needs to be addressed," Agrež goes on "And at that time in 2020 it was the borders that came up due to COVID that had to be addressed and that's why it was sort of natural that it made sense that Nova Gorica together with Goriza got the one nomination Work is visibly underway in Nova Gorica as the deadline looms large The mainline rail station will be a central space throughout the GO!25 festivities which opens with 'Station to Station' on the Slovenian cultural holiday of 8 February "I think it's also very lucky for us to be cooperating so closely with Italians on this," says Agrež "We are funding most of the official programme there's a lot of supporting programme that the funding comes from the Italian side specifically from the region Friuli Venezia Giulia and that helps our project a lot but also in part when we are doing this big 'stop the city' moments like the opening ceremony these are all being very strongly co-funded from both sides of the border and that helps the project to grow." Since brewing was such a big part of 2020's COVID border sharing The Borderless Golden Ale partnership project has been developed by fabulous local brewery Reservoir Dogs alongside Italian counterparts Antica Contea from across the border in Gorizia These hop-obsessed mavericks embrace the latest technology to harness their eccentric vision for brewing but they also use designs from local artists to adorn their many cuvées Their nicely decked-out Tap Room has no fewer than 15 beers on draught and a seemingly limitless number of bottled beers the bar is so long that some beers are being sold from the same bar in different countries have their own automated Isobaric bottling line and a chilled warehouse for storage the European City of Culture award is very much about legacy building a future together is going to be an enormous focus you know you're speaking about two different countries and of course every country has their own specific rules But that's why even throughout this project there is a strong will that we try to make everything easier especially for everyday people's lives...but then also on the business side how to make it easier to unify these processes This is what we are really doing through some of our projects and we are hoping that this will be like a starting moment that other things develop out of as well and make everything easier for everyone in this region." the European Union designates a city as the European Capital of Culture celebrating the continent’s rich diversity historical depth and shared cultural identity Wroclaw and Salamanca have held this prestigious title using the opportunity to showcase their unique heritage through a wide array of events From concerts and theater performances to outdoor activities the chosen city transforms into a vibrant hub of cultural expression Rather than a grand capital or a renowned cultural hotspot the EU has chosen the twin border towns of Gorizia in Italy and Nova Gorica in Slovenia Nestled between the Julian Alps and the Adriatic Sea these cities offer a compelling mix of natural beauty rich history and a dynamic cross-cultural identity this region presents an ideal destination for a unique weekend getaway Gorizia and Nova Gorica boast a fascinating blend of cultures Once part of the Habsburg Empire before World War I the region’s cuisine is an exquisite fusion of Austrian features a charming 1000-year-old historic center with winding alleyways picturesque piazzas and the iconic Castello di Gorizia is marked by striking Brutalist architecture a characteristic feature of former Yugoslavia the Paris Peace Treaty assigned Gorizia to Italy prompting the displacement of many Slovenians Yugoslavia established Nova Gorica just across the border not only as a solution for its displaced population but also as a political statement the city became a model of socialist urban planning positioned along the Iron Curtain as a symbol of resilience and modernization Their selection as the European Capital of Culture in 2025 underscores the European Union’s progress in reducing barriers and fostering cross-border cooperation Gorizia and Nova Gorica operate seamlessly as a single borderless community where residents move freely between the two cities contributing to a thriving local economy and a distinctive cultural fusion that blends Italian and Slavic traditions Visitors will find an impressive selection of museums and historical sites that reflect the region’s complex past The Museum on the Border is particularly noteworthy offering deep insights into the legacy of two world wars and the Cold War era “Vsemir,” explores the impact of the 1947 border division on the Miren Cemetery where graves were split between Italy and Yugoslavia The Slovenian word “Vsemir,” meaning “universe,” invites contemplation on the broader significance of borders and human connections Gorizia’s Open Wine Cellar Days in July provide an excellent opportunity to explore the region’s vineyards Guests can sample a variety of local wines and hear firsthand stories from winemakers some of whom have deep ties to the area’s cross-border history A particularly unique experience is the Vipava Valley Wine Train a vintage Slovenian railway journey that winds through the breathtaking Vipava Valley offering guided tastings and vineyard tours along the way embark on a trek along the Sacred Mountain Route Families and thrill-seekers alike can also explore the Soča Adventure Park where outdoor fun meets stunning natural scenery Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway an immersive cultural experience or an action-packed trip Gorizia and Nova Gorica promise an unforgettable destination in 2025 these twin cities exemplify the spirit of a united and diverse Europe she coordinates coverage for North American events and global news As former elite-level road racer who dabbled in cyclo-cross and track Laura has a passion for all three disciplines When not working she likes to go camping and explore lesser traveled roads UCI governance and performing data analysis you will then be prompted to enter your display name Commissioner Marta Kos will host her first Youth Policy Dialogue on Enlargement ‘Breaking Barriers - Bridging Borders - Growing Together' in Nova Gorica (Slovenia) together with Commissioner Glenn Micallef The event brings together 40 young people (aged 18-30) from across the EU and all the EU's enlargement countries share their ideas and suggestions with the Commissioners and contribute to shaping policies that matter to them—reinforcing the EU's commitment to empowering its next generation in recognition of the quality of their preparations for the year The Slovenian city of Nova Gorica and the Italian city of Gorizia will share the title of European Capital of Culture 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 modern neighbor after the end of the Second World War 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 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 with Slovenia’s accession to the EU and Schengen the two cities formed a unique cross-border community social and economic ties despite their political division Since Slovenia joined the Schengen Area in 2007 border crossings with Italy have been unrestricted 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 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 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 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 advocate for the protection of endangered species a music installation called Tree Orchestra will be installed in the Rafut park of the Laščak Villa 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 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 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 “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 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 The Diplomat in Spain is the reference digital newspaper for diplomats and companies that want to be well informed © 2024 The Diplomat in Spain Please enter your username or email address to reset your password © 2024 The Diplomat in Spain the cities of Chemnitz in Germany and Nova Gorica in Slovenia take up the mantle of European Capitals of Culture exhibitions and performances aimed at highlighting the richness of Europe’s shared cultures The inauguration of Chemnitz will take place on 18 January the city aims to reinforce the role of civic society through community-driven cultural projects and build a network of “European makers of democracy” Nova Gorica will start its ECOC run on 8 February the city intends to grow together with the bordering Italian city of Gorizia becoming a “borderless European Capital of Culture” the concept of borders from multiple dimensions The EU’s Commissioner for Culture Glenn Micallef congratulated the 2025 European Capitals of Culture: “I look forward to a whole year of celebrations showcasing the diversity identities and values of European cultures while highlighting what brings European citizens together in celebration of our diversity It is also an opportunity to reflect on the impact of this prestigious initiative over the last 40 years.” The title of European Capital of Culture allows cities to boost their local and regional development through culture and social benefits for both the cities and their surrounding regions the cities had to set up a cultural programme with a strong European dimension promoting the active involvement of their city’s communities The Commission has awarded the two 2025 European Capitals of Culture with the EUR 1.5 million Melina Mercouri Prize funded under the EU’s Creative Europe programme Commissioner Micallef will award the Mercouri prize as part of his attendance at the Chemnitz inauguration ceremony on 18 January Programme and events in Chemnitz Programme and events in Nova Gorica European Capitals of Culture You must be logged in to post a comment eub2 is the default publisher for EUbusiness Design and developed by :  Gorizia was split down the middle in 1947 between Italy and Slovenia Next year the two towns will come together again as European capital of culture The sunny terrace of Mama Angela wine bar is the perfect spot from which to appreciate the splendour of Gorizia’s Piazza della Vittoria My train from Venice took more than two hours to chug its way here and I now find it hard to believe I am still in Italy I’m sipping a delicious Slovene orange wine other customers are mostly chatting in local dialect and Slovenian and across the square are a glorious baroque church a monumental Neptune fountain and romantic pastel palaces all dating from when this was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire But the glory days of Victory Square are long gone Gorizia is one of those rare hidden gems that is simply not on the radar of most tourists the city was unceremoniously split between post-Mussolini Italy and communist Yugoslavia topped with barbed wire and patrolled by armed soldiers but this town’s fate had little attention from the world’s media Thousand-year-old Gorizia and Slovenia’s Nova Gorica – an idealistic “New Gorizia” founded in 1947 on the other side of the border – have succeeded in an audacious joint bid to become the first-ever single European capital of culture to combine cities in two countries never thinking about which country they were in But that was never recognised by officialdom So I hope becoming Europe’s legitimate cultural capital will change all that for the young people living here.” The full calendar of events will be announced in October, and the official inauguration on 8 February 2025 will see a huge party in the symbolic Piazza della Transalpina which is still divided in two – one half in Slovenian Nova Gorica I am here early to border-hop and explore the two Gorizias before the crowds arrive Gorizia seduces from the moment I start walking down Via Rastello, for centuries lined by mansions and boutiques, the commercial hub of what the Habsburgs dubbed “the Nice of Austria” This is a town always looking to fulfil its promise but not always succeeding so while many shops are shuttered and for sale some exciting initiatives show that locals are really counting on the future capital-of-culture effect In Piazza della Vittoria, I rent a bike that can be dropped off either side of the border and head for Smart Space a cutting-edge multimedia museum that provides the perfect introduction to Gorizia’s complex history including startling virtual-reality experiences of when this region saw some of the first world war’s deadliest fighting lives in a house in Gorizia with a fountain and shady trees in a walled garden green garden city inspired by Le Corbusier it was created 75 years ago as a socialist utopia municipal theatres and exhibition halls – but no churches until the breakup of Yugoslavia featured trips and local tips for your next break as well as the latest deals from Guardian Holidays Communist era flats in Nova Gorica Photograph: LorenzoP/AlamyThe population is young while local Slovenes love to cross into Gorizia for history Italians flood in the opposite direction for a taste of the great outdoors The fast-flowing Soča River is perfect for kayak racing and rafting while the surrounding countryside and forests are a maze of bike tracks and walking paths lie the picturesque vineyards that have put Slovenia on the wine map for its innovative natural and orange wines and might include deliciously comforting traditional dishes such as frico a Montasio cheese and potato pancake; jota bean and sauerkraut soup; and the Mitteleuropa classic of goulash with polenta Owner Mauro Gubana says: “I cannot wait for the Capital of Culture to begin as the border controls we all grew up with seem finally to be disappearing.” Transport and accommodation were provided by PromoTurismo FVG By Justine Costigan Italy has temporarily done away with borders with Nova Gorica Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time In the tiny smuggling museum at the Italian border crossing at Pristava in Slovenia there’s a large black-and-white photograph of a handsome cow on display There’s nothing unusual about the cow itself except that its head is busy munching hay in the (then) Federal People’s Republic of Yugoslavia while its body is standing in a field in Italy The cow is oblivious to the border beneath its feet its serene expression highlighting the surreal nature of the situation borders all over Europe were being readjusted The new borders typically prioritised the political over the personal the small town of Gorizia found itself suddenly divided from its outlying villages It was a decision that would separate families The Gorizia Wall was erected in 1947 – 14 years before the Berlin Wall was built – and stood for 57 years surviving the end of the Cold War and the break-up of Yugoslavia until it was finally officially removed in 2004 when Slovenia joined the EU in front of an early-20th-century neoclassical railway station a large circular plaque marks the spot where the wall once stood I’m hoping to take a moment to stand with a foot in each country the only square in the world where this is possible It’s not the only building activity in Gorizia right now. After so many decades separated by history, Gorizia and Nova Gorica (New Gorizia) – the new city built on the other side of the border in Slovenia during those five decades – is one of 2025’s European Capitals of Culture. When I visit, many other buildings and spaces in Gorizia’s old town are being spruced up for GO! 2025 Solkan bridges under Mount Sabotin.Credit: Getty Images While some of its infrastructure is getting an upgrade there’s no improving the natural assets of Gorizia the view stretches over the rooftops across to Nova Gorica and the mountain peaks the Soca/Isonzo River crosses from Slovenia into Italy where it will make its way down into the Gulf of Trieste boutiques and bakeries featuring every kind of strudel – leads to the historic centre and the central square Piazza Vittoria is the heart of this bustling Venture into a bar or osteria and you might hear conversations in Slovenian or simply celebrate Friuli-Venezia Giulia’s culinary treasures – think San Daniele ham No menu is without a selection of excellent local wine made from vines on either side of the border Colourful buildings lining the Piazza Vittoria.Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto a cosy bar and restaurant where we stop for lunch a counter displays local meats and cheeses and the menu moves from hearty to heavy: Polenta followed by plum-stuffed dumplings dusted with cinnamon and sugar After hundreds of years under Austrian rule and only a century as an official part of Italy it’s a menu that draws on deep historical and cultural roots but it has always been geographically and politically important while the earliest documented mentions of the town date to 1000 AD settled in Gorizia and are now buried in the Kostanjevica monastery The region was also the scene of major battles in both world wars Among the soldiers in World War I was a young volunteer ambulance driver from Illinois Ernest Hemingway used his experiences in Gorizia as inspiration for the early scenes of his 1927 novel A Farewell to Arms Kostanjevica Monastery looks over Nova Gorica town.Credit: Getty Images it’s just a few minutes by bus to Nova Gorica Imagined by the Slovenian architect Edvard Ravnikar as a city “that would shine across the border” his plans may have originated during the war Although Ravnikar’s original vision was never fully realised green and spacious city that reminds me just a little of Canberra 10 years of cross-border projects by EGCT GO – the organisation dedicated to cross-border economic development in the region – have resulted in a network of cycle paths linking Italy and Slovenia a mountaintop monastery above the town of Nova Gorica looms over the Vipava Valley.Credit: Getty Images We take two free pushbikes from the tourism office and ride out towards the river on the city’s wide smooth streets before reaching the pretty historic villages on its periphery with a 16th-century Franciscan monastery at its peak which connects Italy and Slovenia high above the Soca/Isonzo River Later this year it will be the location of a concert by Gorizia-born piano virtuoso Alexander Gadjiev One of several out-of-the-ordinary venues to showcase the region it’s not hard to imagine how exquisitely beautiful the sound of music floating out across the water will be to the people lucky enough to hear it the team behind the European Capital of Culture bid 2025 program features many places that have never been used for arts and cultural events before It’s part of a plan to make sure the year is not only about the two border cities “We want to be the European Capital of Culture of the whole territory 25 will feature places that have never been used for arts and cultural events before.Credit: Getty Images we’re cycling through deep green forest on our way to Kromberk Castle a beautifully preserved 13th-century building with an amphitheatre parks and other natural assets will host art and cultural performances and events and artists-in-residence exploring themes of cross-collaboration and the two cities’ shared culture and history Some events are just for fun: Borderless Beer will be a bar at the Piazza Transalpina with one side devoted to Slovenian breweries Something tells me it’s likely to be popular The Borderless concept is an idea that strongly resonates “People that lived at that time will never forget,” says Kocina Born in Yugoslavia to a Slovenian mother and a Goriziani father she still remembers how challenging life under that system could be Although the border was more fluid than Berlin’s travel to and from each sector was bureaucratic and unreliable Control of goods across the border could also add hours to any crossing A series of concerts are planned for Kromberk Castle’s amphitheatre.Credit: Getty Images there are many exhibits showing how locals subverted this border crossing routine: women hid cash in the heels of their shoes; a leg of prosciutto was stashed under the wheel hub of a car Italians swapped coffee for dairy goods; Slovenians sought out toys Despite more recent successful collaborations the two border regions still have a way to go signs in Nova Gorica were exclusively Slovenian and the information on the map in the Gorizia tourist office stopped at the Italian border But Slovenians and Italians live and work in both countries and Kocina says more people are making an effort to learn the other’s language Her ambition is that the Capital of Culture experience will facilitate even more connection “The goal is not to forget the past or put the past behind us but to understand that the past is part of our culture We really believe in the future impact the European Capital Culture can have on both cities The European Capital of Culture program runs throughout 2025 and includes many free events and performances. Bookings for ticketed events are available online. A shuttle bus travels between the cities regularly. Free bicycles are available at the Nova Gorica tourist office or use the Go2Go bike-share scheme in both cities. See go2025.eu/en FlyGorizia/Nova Gorica is 50 minutes from Trieste (or two hours from Venice The nearest international airports are at Ljubljana StayThe 4-star Best Western Gorizia Palace places you in the heart of Gorizia’s old town, with all the city’s major attractions and the railway station within walking distance. The shuttle bus to Nova Gorica is a few steps from the hotel’s front door. From $200 a night. See goriziapalace.com In Nova Gorica, DAM boutique hotel and restaurant offers contemporary luxury accommodation just outside the city centre. The restaurant features modern Slovenian cuisine and an extensive cellar of local wines. From $262. See damhotel.si/en Moreturismofvg.it/enslovenia.info/en there\\u2019s a large black-and-white photograph of a handsome cow on display There\\u2019s nothing unusual about the cow itself except that its head is busy munching hay in the (then) Federal People\\u2019s Republic of Yugoslavia The Gorizia Wall was erected in 1947 \\u2013 14 years before the Berlin Wall was built \\u2013 and stood for 57 years I\\u2019m hoping to take a moment to stand with a foot in each country It\\u2019s not the only building activity in Gorizia right now After so many decades separated by history Gorizia and Nova Gorica (New Gorizia) \\u2013 the new city built on the other side of the border in Slovenia during those five decades \\u2013 is one of 2025\\u2019s European Capitals of Culture many other buildings and spaces in Gorizia\\u2019s old town are being spruced up for there\\u2019s no improving the natural assets of Gorizia From the town\\u2019s medieval hilltop castle the grand Corso Italia \\u2013 lined with trees boutiques and bakeries featuring every kind of strudel \\u2013 leads to the historic centre and the central square or simply celebrate Friuli-Venezia Giulia\\u2019s culinary treasures \\u2013 think San Daniele ham it\\u2019s a menu that draws on deep historical and cultural roots it\\u2019s just a few minutes by bus to Nova Gorica Imagined by the Slovenian architect Edvard Ravnikar as a city \\u201Cthat would shine across the border\\u201D Although Ravnikar\\u2019s original vision was never fully realised 10 years of cross-border projects by EGCT GO \\u2013 the organisation dedicated to cross-border economic development in the region \\u2013 have resulted in a network of cycle paths linking Italy and Slovenia We take two free pushbikes from the tourism office and ride out towards the river on the city\\u2019s wide it\\u2019s not hard to imagine how exquisitely beautiful the sound of music floating out across the water will be to the people lucky enough to hear it It\\u2019s part of a plan to make sure the year is not only about the two border cities \\u201CWe want to be the European Capital of Culture of the whole territory we\\u2019re cycling through deep green forest on our way to Kromberk Castle and the two cities\\u2019 shared culture and history Something tells me it\\u2019s likely to be popular \\u201CPeople that lived at that time will never forget,\\u201D says Kocina Although the border was more fluid than Berlin\\u2019s and Kocina says more people are making an effort to learn the other\\u2019s language \\u201CThe goal is not to forget the past or put the past behind us We hope there will be a lasting legacy.\\u201D The European Capital of Culture program runs throughout 2025 and includes many free events and performances Bookings for ticketed events are available online A shuttle bus travels between the cities regularly Free bicycles are available at the Nova Gorica tourist office or use the Go2Go bike-share scheme in both cities StayThe 4-star Best Western Gorizia Palace places you in the heart of Gorizia\\u2019s old town with all the city\\u2019s major attractions and the railway station within walking distance The shuttle bus to Nova Gorica is a few steps from the hotel\\u2019s front door DAM boutique hotel and restaurant offers contemporary luxury accommodation just outside the city centre The restaurant features modern Slovenian cuisine and an extensive cellar of local wines the 2025 Capital of Culture2 October 2024ShareSaveVirginia Di GaetanoShareSaveLuca FornasierTish at Trg Evrope (Credit: Luca Fornasier)Singer-songwriter Tish grew up on the border of Europe's first-ever borderless Capital of Culture from underground jams at Mostovna to Fabrika's famous burgers Nova Gorica is one of Slovenia's (and Europe's) youngest cities Since Slovenia's entry into the EU in 2004 it's become a showpiece for Slovenia's rich artistic tradition stretching from ancient artisanal crafts to master Slovene Impressionists Ivana Kobilca and Franc Berneker to today's thriving contemporary arts scene The planned city was founded in 1947 after the Paris Peace Treaty established the border between Italy and the former Yugoslavia restricting travel between the two nations the Socialist Yugoslavian government envisioned Nova Gorica (New Gorizia in Slovenian) as a modernist city to cement a new the two cities lived on either side of a tumultuous border; steps apart but worlds away Now, united as the 2025 EU Capital of Culture Nova Gorica and its sister Italian city Gorizia stand as "the European capital of borderless culture" share this distinction is a testament to a collaborative future And Nova Gorica itself – nestled in the idyllic Vipava Valley famed for its wineries – has become particularly known for its unique combination of modern artistic edge and small-town community feel We asked Tish, a singer-songwriter who has called Nova Gorica home since she was a teen, to guide us through Europe's unsung artsy capital. For Tish, a 2025 GO! Ambassador "Slovenia's past as part of Yugoslavia [means] you never feel out of place here," she says "It's easy to find Serbian or Slovenian food and hear people speaking Slovenian Being so close to Italy adds another layer of cultural richness where the feeling of community is so strong that everyone feels welcome." The arts are fundamental to Nova Gorica's identity the scene "feels deeply rooted in the community Cankarjeva Ulica [a main street] is full of graffiti Here are Tish's top recommendations for a visit to artsy Nova Gorica where you can enjoy a cosy coffee break" The square is currently undergoing a major renovation in anticipation of the 2025 Capital of Culture, where it will become the new ECoC District this vibrant square will connect Italy and Slovenia through accessible green urban spaces art exhibits and an upgraded railway station in Nova Gorica that will improve transport links around Slovenia "It’s the perfect spot to escape for a while and lose yourself in thought-provoking artwork," she says Nova Gorica will be bursting with cultural activities throughout 2025 Look out for incredible live concerts from Slovenian and international performers – Patti Smith inaugurated the project with a concert in 2023 There will also be a full calendar of art and film festivals; dance companies; thought-provoking installations around the city; and workshops discussing technology innovation and solutions for a borderless world Website: www.kulturnidom-ng.si Instagram: @kulturnidomng Restavracija Dam turns the volume up on Istrian classics like Soča trout and Piran sea bass in a moody "[Dam] masterfully blends local ingredients with creative flair making it the perfect place to savour the region's culinary artistry," says Tish Pair the restaurant's creative dishes like "rice with the taste of the sea and the scent of oysters" with any of the 300 wines from Slovenia Website: www.damhotel.si/en/restaurant Instagram: @dam_boutique_hotel_restaurant For Tish, Fabrika gastropub has it all "It’s the kind of place where you can stop by for a drink or dive into their extensive menu," she says creative cocktails… whatever you're in the mood for!" Tish's 'can't-miss' local festivals: Ana Desetnica (International Street Theatre Festival) the streets of Nova Gorica become a vibrant stage for street performers acrobats and artists from around the world who perform in open-air spaces around the city "The autumn grape harvest (trgatev) in the Vipava Valley is a cultural highlight Villages come alive with traditional celebrations Local wineries often host open days during this period offering a great opportunity to explore the surrounding vineyards." Located in Nova Gorica's central Bevkov Square Fabrika is emblematic of Slovenia's trendy-yet-relaxed food scene where gastropubs and bistros offer all-day eats for every kind of appetite you're just as likely to find a group of university friends sharing tacos as grandparents tucking into gigantic burgers made from local Slovenian beef Tish also loves what Fabrika offers beyond the menu it's perfect for a quiet morning or a lively night which frequently hosts events and live music Website: www.fabrika-bar.si Instagram: @fabrika.novagorica "Nova Gorica's music scene is diverse," says Tish. "Genres range from jazz to indie rock [but] there’s a particularly strong presence of metal, punk and electronic music." And hands down, Mostovna is "the place to be" to soak up the city's edgy music scene Located in a former industrial facility right on the Slovenia-Italy border the punky industrial space is a club and meeting point for free spirits and misfits sometimes hosting two shows in one day!" says Tish soul and orchestral music to comedy and art exhibitions featuring emerging and established artists from all over Slovenia." Young musicians like Tish have a lot of support in Nova Gorica "There’s plenty of room for growth in Nova Gorica’s creative scene and the local support is incredible," she says and I've had the amazing opportunity to meet and collaborate with some of the most famous Slovenian artists It's a small community with excellent connections making it a great place to grow and get involved in special events featuring some of the country’s biggest performers." Website: www.mostovna.com Instagram: @mostovna Flowing alongside Nova Gorica and Gorizia, the emerald green Soča River is arguably one of the most beautiful in Europe. Viewing it under the dramatic arches of the 85m-long Solkan Bridge the world's longest stone arch railroad bridge "You can walk or bike along the [river]," says Tish It's the ideal place to soak up the [Soča’s] natural beauty." With the rugged Alps in the distance and tiny villages dotting the surrounding Karst hills this is one of the best places to capture the lofty scenery that makes Slovenia such a stunning place to visit Active visitors will be spoiled for choice here. "The zipline and kayak club, Soča Fun Park, are perfect if you’re in the mood for adventure," says Tish. For optimal people watching, she also recommends grabbing a cocktail at the charming riverside bar, Čolnarna Website: www.facebook.com/Colnarna-Solkan Instagram: @colnarna_solkan BBC Travel's The SpeciaList is a series of guides to popular and emerging destinations around the world as seen through the eyes of local experts and tastemakers If you liked this story, sign up for The Essential List newsletter – a handpicked selection of features For more Travel stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.  Rome's most stunning optical illusions revealedFrom the Malta Knights keyhole to a set of vanishing columns, discover the Eternal City's visual secrets. Secret doors and a golden mansion: the Vanderbilts' New YorkAt their peak, they were akin to royalty. Today, their estates conceal hidden treasures. Inside Usonia: A 1940s utopian town in the United States100-year-old Roland Reisley is the last original member of Usonia, a small visionary community in the woods. 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In 2006, a BBC reporter read the files that detailed his secret mission. high-level event took place in the cross-border European Capital of Culture jointly hosted by the twin cities Nova Gorica (SI) and Gorizia (IT) territorially driven instrument of the European Union that through cooperation joint projects and governance promotes harmonious development across borders and enables people and territories in the entire EU and its immediate neighbourhood to work together on joint challenges and opportunities facilitates the seamless functioning of the Internal Market tackles challenges shared by larger geographical areas and enables all regions to learn from each other for better regional development it brings together people across borders to build relationships Interreg offers a valuable opportunity to cooperate with their EU peers Interreg helps to build capacities for EU membership DG Regional and Urban Policy invites cooperation stakeholders and Interreg programmes to the Interreg GO the high-level event will conclude the outcomes of the broad consultation process on Interreg as part of cohesion policy post-27 The conference is organized in partnership with the Interreg Italy-Slovenia programme the Friuli-Venezia-Giulia region in Italy and the Ministry for Cohesion and Regional Development in Slovenia organised by partners of the IT – SL programme and the EGTC GO are also offered for a limited number of participants arriving early on 26 March The meeting takes place in the highly symbolic cross-border twin cities of Gorizia (Italy) and Nova Gorica (Slovenia) joint first cross-border winners of the title of European Capital of Culture (ECoC) in 2025 and celebrating culture without boundaries - thus offering a lot of possibilities for joint events The event will take you to several venues in both cities More details about the days and the agenda below: For Interreg programmes authorities (up to three participants per programme) We will focus on 2021-2027 programme implementation highlighting best practices and lessons learnt offering a lot of opportunities for networking and for exchanges with colleagues from REGIO and Interact In addition to the opportunity of visiting inspiring EU co-financed Interreg projects and discovering the region There are three international airports from which the event hosting towns are reachable: Ljubljana Venice or Trieste (Trieste airport is the closest to the event location) From Ljubljana airport the GoOpti Airport Transfer offers shuttles and private taxi options to reach Gorizia and Nova Gorica From Trieste airport the Aeroporto Trieste Airport - APT Gorizia offers bus options (departure every 3 hours) to reach Gorizia train station From Venezia airport IT – Trenitalia offers train rides to reach Gorizia train station In an unprecedented opportunity for young people across Europe and beyond Commissioner Marta Kos will host her first Youth Policy Dialogue on Enlargement “Breaking Barriers - Bridging Borders - Growing Together” on 7-8 February in Nova Gorica (Slovenia) making this a unique chance for youth to engage directly with three top EU leaders.  The event brings together 40 young people (aged 18-30) from across the EU and all the EU’s candidate countries Kosovo and Belarus.  They will be able to express their views share their ideas and suggestions to the Commissioners and contribute to shaping policies that matter to them—reinforcing the EU’s commitment to empowering its next generation.  This milestone dialogue coincides with the historic launch of Nova Gorica (Slovenia) and Gorizia (Italy) as the first-ever cross-border European Capital of Culture the two cities—once divided by history—now stand as a symbol of unity the young participants will take part in the Walk of peace where they will learn more about the region’s history that surrounds them and why its story of reconciliation & bridging borders is symbolic to the dialogue in which they will participate This is more than just a discussion—it's a moment where young voices can shape the Europe of tomorrow Photographs of the dialogue & the Commissioner’s mission will be available on EbS and on Flickr The opening of the Youth Policy Dialogue “Breaking Barriers - Bridging Borders - Growing Together” with introductory remarks by Commissioner Kos Commissioner Micallef and the participants taking place on 8 February at 09:30- 10:15 am will be open for media attendance – journalists are welcome to attend Commissioner Kos will also join Minister of Culture Asta Vrečko and Commissioner Micallef at a press point at 13:00 pm at Hotel Perla To register as a journalist to the opening session of the Youth Enlargement Dialogue please send an e-mail to Maarten [dot] Lemstraec [dot] europa [dot] eu (Maarten[dot]Lemstra[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu) and David [dot] Bauerec [dot] europa [dot] eu (David[dot]Bauer[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu) by 05 February Members of the press who wish to cover the opening celebrations of the European Capital of Culture are requested to accredit separately by 3 February at the address anja [dot] zupancgov [dot] si (anja[dot]zupanc[at]gov[dot]si) (Government office for communication HAnDA aims to be the natural progression in the dissemination of research findings on Algebraic Hypercompositional Structures and their Applications including hypercompositional structures like hypergroups and their applications to the theories of fuzzy The inaugural HAnDA was held in Thessaloniki, Greece, 2017 and the next ones were hybrid. They are organized by the University of Nova Gorica, Slovenia and the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece. This year’s symposium will be held online via the MiTeam platform from June 2 to June 6 A participation link will be sent via email to the attendees who have been confirmed in advance at irina.cristea@ung.si Authors are kindly invited to send the title and an abstract of their presentation to the aforementioned email addresses we will open a call for participants for the first Winter Camp on vocational excellence taking place from 10-13 February 2025 in Nova Gorica Are you a vocational education provider?Do you want to:📚 Learn innovative teaching & learning methods?🤝 Dive into building effective partnerships?💼 Understand funding mechanisms?🗓️ Don't miss this opportunity!On 23 September Three experienced Centres of Vocational Excellence: Talentjourney GreenoVET and PoVE Water will take care of the content and share their experiences 📄 Learn more: Winter camp 2025 2025 Nova Gorica - Gorizia European Capital of Culture which will revolve around four main themes: War and Peace The union between the two cities is represented in the image chosen as the GO created by Lorenzo Mattotti: a couple - he Italian dancing on a bridge surrounded by a thousand shades of green elements of union and connection between Nova Gorica and Gorica exhibitions and cultural and food and wine initiatives.The presentation of the official GO 2025 program was also attended by Marko Rusjan (Secretary of State at the Slovenian Ministry of Culture) Massimiliano Fedriga (President of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region) 2025) and Marco Marinuzzi (Project Manager GO overlook different worlds,” said Stojan Pelko “We are convinced that this Region can tell Europe and the world how difficult it is to build peace after war and how the only border that concerns us is the one for the future In the acronym GO we recognize both cities both the Slovenian city of Nova Gorica and the Italian city of Gorizia They are two cities in two different states which are together European Capital of Culture-first time in the history of the European Union So it is an engine of development that also maximizes the message we want to send to the European Union and Europe: in an area that had been marked by conflict and war The cultural calendar will offer a series of exhibition events including an exhibition dedicated to Zoran Music and an extensive tribute to Franco Basaglia with the touring to Slovenian venues of “Marco Cavallo,” a symbol of the breaking down of borders and prejudices on mental health a transgenerational docu-fiction directed by Tomi Janezic and a documentary by Anja Medved dedicated to World War II witnesses which will involve several European cities located on the border the Biennial of Young Artists of Europe and the Mediterranean a focus on architect Edvard Ravnikar who designed the city of Nova Gorica and a palimpsest of proposals on sustainability: from the future of food with workshops and art projects by Jurij Krpan to a showcase on the Seed Library at the Bevk Library in Nova Gorica The official program will kick off on February 8 with the opening ceremony which will coincide with Slovenian Culture Day (anniversary of the death of poet France Prešeren as well as the anniversary of the birth of poet Giuseppe Ungaretti) The ceremony will last all day and will cover the territories of both cities Headed by Neda Rusjan Bric and with the presence of national and international guests including President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella and President of the Republic of Slovenia Nataša Pirc Musar it will be an eventful day divided into three parts The first part will include a cross-border procession from the Gorizia train station to the main square in Nova Gorica the official ceremony will follow in the Transalpina/Trg Evrope Square which is half in Italy and half in Slovenia The main artistic show will take place at 6 p.m Remo Anzovino will perform among the confirmed artists The cross-border party will continue late into the night with DJ sets by DADDY G (Massive Attack) and Andy Smith (Portishead) in Transalpina Square “This collaboration between Italy and Slovenia is an event that represents European values and will go down in the history of all future European Capitals of Culture,” said Massimiliano Fedriga President of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region “The events that we have structured are based on people: their purpose is to bring people from different languages and cultures to dialogue and live together the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region has made very important interventions for Gorizia In addition to the events in the official program a synergy of Slovenian and Italian entities has made possible the creation of a schedule that sees in the GO international and local projects designed both for the citizens of the area and for visitors “The title of European Capital has been awarded by the Commission since 1985-this is the 40th anniversary-and is always awarded to a city pointing to the border as a strength and opportunity The two cities won the title and in December 2020 they were proclaimed: two cities together the preparatory work has started and today we are at the climax on February 8,” comments Romina Kocina “since it is such a complex partnership we are facing various challenges and therefore we have more actors involved.” The European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation EGTC GO has financed 56 cross-border projects through the Interreg Italy-Slovenia program (about 10 million in EU funds) and the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia has worked with institutions in the area (through the Directorate for Culture and the Regional Cultural Heritage Board) to converge the work of many cultural actors on the border theme and financed additional strategic initiatives in the cultural sphere worth about 10 million the exhibition dedicated to the treasures of Aquileia and the exhibition Tre Sguardi with photographs by Steve McCurry Alex Majoli and Meta Krese telling the story of the border Gorizia will also host the masterclass for young dancers with étoile Eleonora Abbagnato and the dancers of the Rome Opera the production of 8 short films with FVG Film Commission made ad hoc on the occasion of the European Capital of Culture and selected by a jury of experts chaired by director Gabriele Salvatores and the docufilm on philosopher Carlo Michaelstadter written and directed by director and actor Massimiliano Finazzer Flory The events also include concerts: Thirty Seconds to Mars (July 3) with their only date in northeastern Italy and Massive Attack (June 24) will enliven the Casa Rossa Arena in Gorizia a place once used as a stall for heavy vehicles in transit on the border and now redeveloped and also made available to host major events Also confirmed are traditional Gorizia events such as the èStoria festival the Sergio Amidei screenplay award and the food and wine festival Gusti di frontiera which for the occasion will be declined in a cross-border key Joining the official GO!2025 program is the schedule of GO!2025&Friends concerts by international artists and other initiatives involving the entire Friuli Venezia Giulia region with appointments that will host names of national and international stature GO!2025&Friends represents a continuum with the official agenda with the goal of increasing participation throughout the region and leveraging the visibility of the initiative to enhance the Friuli Venezia Giulia destination Within this review have already opened the exhibitions Steve McCurry Looks on the World at the Salone degli Incanti in Trieste; Photography Wulz a photographic journey spanning more than 100 years that chronicles the stages of Trieste’s economic social and cultural development through the privileged filter of the Wulz family viisitable until April 27 at the city’s Magazzino delle Idee The summer of GO!2025&Friends will instead come alive with live performances by Alanis Morissette the queen of alternative rock who will enchant audiences on June 22 2025 at Villa Manin in Codroipo (Udine); Sting who on July 9 will also bring one of the dates of his Sting 3.0 World Tour to Villa Manin; and Robbie Williams whose live show-the only one planned in Italy-is scheduled for July 17 2025 at Trieste’s Nereo Rocco Stadium PromoTursimo FVG is organizing two guided tours throughout the year available on Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m. and the three hills on which some of the most important battles of the Great War in Italy took place: Calvario available on Saturdays and Sundays at 10:30 a.m. takes one directly inside the city’s troubled history in the 20th century approaching the border where the memory of the heartbreak of so many families still reverberates The full calendar of events is available at the link: www.go2025.eu/it/whats-up/calendario-eventi-gorizia-nova-gorica Posted in Exhibitions on 17 March 2025 From 21 March to 13 December 2025.Nova Gorica On Friday, 21 March, at 5:00 PM, the Mercator Center in Nova Gorica - Gorizia will host the inauguration of "The Art Beyond the Visible" The gallery will remain open until 13 December and is one of the initiatives featured in the GO which has loaned eight works from its collection Museo Omero also hosted a training session for professionals from the Gorizia Museum (Goriški muzej) representatives of the Intermunicipal Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired of Nova Gorica The works on loan from Museo Omero include a volumetric model of the Parthenon and seven plaster casts: Head of the Pseudo-Seneca and Bas-relief from the Abbey of Nonantola featuring the Nativity scene "The Art Beyond the Visible" is a space where art becomes accessible to everyone allowing visitors to explore the works not only visually but also through touch The project has also received support from the Academy of Fine Arts and Design of Ljubljana the Academy of Arts of the University of Nova Gorica and international partners such as the University of San José (USA) and the Faculty of Education at the University of Primorska in Koper You don't have permission to access the page you requested What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed the Urban Municipality of Nova Gorica is setting up a new community centre to combine cultural and artistic content with local gastronomy Super 8 will be a versatile space that will serve as a playful cultural venue and a pleasant and lively gathering place for people of all generations in a degraded border area It will offer a gourmet and educational experience This will give the border area new cultural creative and urban content for all generations with the aim of promoting integrated and inclusive social economic and environmental development and sustainable tourism in the urban area The SUPER 8 EPK GO!2025 project is implemented under Slovenia’s EU Cohesion Policy Programme 2021-2027 priority Sustainable development of local areas and pursues the specific objective Fostering the integrated and inclusive social The European Regional Development Fund will contribute 721,305.88 euros for the project worth 1,840,849.75 euros Did you find the information you were looking for Do you want to receive a response from the responsible institution Clicking on the link will open your default e-mail program and automatically draft a message that you can send to the institution responsible for the content of this website ask for a reply Nova Gorica is a modern but beautiful city in Slovenia But just a few steps further you can cross Once Nova Gorica and Gorizia were one; as two cities they were created – and separated – in 1947 when the Treaty of Paris created new European borders limiting travel between Italy and the former Yugoslavia A commission of the allied forces decided that Gorizia should belong to Italy while the less developed part of the city should join the Republic of Slovenia within the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia The new city would be called Nova Gorica and from that moment Nova Gorica and Gorizia existed as two separate cities in two states allowing cross-border cultural exchange for the first time in generations Gorizia - Nova Gorica will reunite as the first European Capital of Culture of the transnational type about two to five million visitors are expected to visit the two cities in 2025 compared to about 250.000 people who visit each year This is a large figure for a destination with few tourists even though Gorizia was qualified as the "Nice of Austria" from 1867 to 1918 including musical performances and art exhibitions the two cities are very different from each other Medieval Gorizia is a cobblestoned town full of buzzing cafes The castle is characterized by a museum where exhibitions are organized with state-of-the-art installations that portray life in the castle throughout the centuries Nova Gorica – designed to show the world that Josip Broz Tito's Yugoslavia was capable of high-scale urban development – ​​is modernist and its relative innovations – concrete architecture laid in a line – are the only telltale sign that you've crossed a border "European Capital of Culture" is an award that the EU gives to two cities every year serving as an experiment on how states can connect and cooperate better use multiple languages ​​and political systems but in practice almost everyone who lives in them speaks both Slovenian and Italian and the residents live and work on whichever side of the border they want is a Slovenian journalist born in Nova Gorica when all crossing points between them were removed The border qualifies as Piazza Transalpina in front of the main train station – technically in Slovenia – where tourists line up to be photographed with one foot in Slovenia and the other in Italy It is precisely in this part that the most expensive interventions for the GO!2025 program were made The square was transformed into a space for cultural performances and museums that include both underground art galleries and amphitheaters that rise like wings on either side of the border The complicated history of the invisible border The invisible border between Gorizia and Nova Gorica means that its history was compiled after passing through different political "hands" - owned by the Hansburgs gave an example of this when she was standing in front of the Slovenian museum "Muzej na Meji" referring to the world's longest stone bridge "My grandmother was born in Austria-Hungary When the new border was defined at the Paris Peace Conference the Allied forces drew a straight line with a pencil and ruler on the map and presented it to the soldiers Fields and sometimes houses were waiting for me A photograph from that time even shows a cow with one half of its body standing in Italy and the other in Slovenia A few steps away from where this photo was taken in the direction of Gorizia is Lasciapassare and flick in the opposite direction is Muzej na Mej Both were built according to the customs of the countries to which they belonged Museums reflect the ways life was along the border Yugoslavs could cross it with a special booklet that functioned as a daily travel permit for a maximum distance of 30 kilometers It contained coupons to buy goods that were not available in Yugoslavia bananas and chocolates were the products most sought after by Yugoslavs while Italians crossed the border for meat and homemade brandy Everything that was bought that was not included in the coupons had to be smuggled families had two months to decide whether they wanted to be Yugoslav or Italian," says Alex Tammer "Everyone here has family members on the other side." Those who chose to become Yugoslavs became the first residents of Nova Gorica which was designed by the modernist architect Edvard Ravnikar Gorizia and Nova Gorica are cities that have the Adriatic only 30 kilometers from the southern side and the Alps 40 kilometers from the north It was here that two cultures and nations coexisted almost eternally in harmony It's the perfect place to see how borderlessness can easily work in practice and GO!2025 offers an ideal chance to explore and celebrate one of Europe's most thoroughly transnational countries This site is controlled and managed by KOHA are protected by KOHA's copyright and KOHA retains the reserved rights for them Materials on this site may not be used for commercial purposes without the prior permission of KOHA is prohibited The use of materials from any website or other medium without the permission of the KOHA Group on behalf of all the units that make it up (Koha Ditore is a violation of copyright and of intellectual property according to the legal provisions in force All violators of these rights will face the law The translation of contents into other languages ​​is done automatically and there may be errors Annex of the former Radio Prishtina (first floor) George Bush pn David Nikel is a travel writer covering cruising and Scandinavia.Follow AuthorOct 24 01:40pm EDTShareSaveComment@font-face{font-family: "Schnyder"; src: url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/schnyders/schnyders-bold-webfont.woff2") format("woff2") #article-stream-0 .headline-embed .font-base{font-family: Schnyder,"Noto Sans","Droid Sans","Helvetica Neue",Corbel,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;} #article-stream-0 .headline-embed.font-size #article-stream-0 .quote-embed .font-size p{font-size: 36px;}Historical half-timbered house in Chemnitz the European Union designates cities as European Capitals of Culture a title aimed at celebrating the rich cultural diversity of Europe while fostering unity and international cooperation This initiative encourages cities to showcase their unique cultural heritage modern creativity and community projects to a wider audience two lesser-known regions have been chosen to share this prestigious title: the city and surrounding region of Chemnitz Germany and the twin cities of Nova Gorica and Gorizia which straddle the border of Slovenia and Italy they represent a bridge between past and future Chemnitz is a city with a rich industrial past often called the "Saxon Manchester" for its role during the Industrial Revolution Part of the 'double town hall' in the historic center of Chemnitz Heavily destroyed during World War II and later shaped by its time under East German rule Chemnitz has undergone change after change "C the Unseen," reflects the city’s mission to bring to light the often overlooked aspects of its culture and the surrounding region have played a key role in Germany's industrial growth Mining in the Ore Mountains once made it an economic powerhouse the Erzgebirge/Krušnohorí mining region has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site Chemnitz itself is known for its historical sites from art nouveau buildings to Soviet-era monuments like the massive Karl Marx Monument which stands as a reminder of the city’s complex past The Karl Marx monument in Chemnitz remembers the city's complex past visitors will be invited to explore a city that has turned its industrial past into a platform for artistic expression Garages that once stored machinery are now transformed into creative spaces emphasizing the importance of regional collaboration Chemnitz’s subcultures will also come into focus as part of its effort to foster a cosmopolitan democratic future in the face of recent challenges The organizers hope the themes of inclusion and unity will offer a fresh narrative for the city in the years to come While Chemnitz focuses on unveiling the unseen, the joint designation of Nova Gorica in Slovenia and Gorizia in Italy represents a celebration of unity across borders The Soca River will host play host to events during Nova Gorica and Gorizia's year in the spotlight These twin cities share not only a geographical location but also a complex history Situated at the crossroads of Slavic and Italian cultures this region was once divided by the Iron Curtain during the Cold War it serves as a living example of the power of European integration The 2025 Capital of Culture for these two cities will carry the slogan "GO Borderless," symbolizing their commitment to breaking down barriers The unique cross-border nature of this Capital of Culture brings together two nations and multiple cultures all set against the stunning natural backdrop of the Soča River Valley and the Julian Alps One of the most exciting aspects of the Nova Gorica-Gorizia celebration is the multimedia and performance art set in natural landscapes Visitors can expect to experience performances in extraordinary locations These cities also plan to showcase the best of their natural environment with ecological projects that include green corridors Nova Gorica and Gorizia will also highlight their culinary heritage through cross-border food events, including Tastes without Borders which will unite Slovenian and Italian cuisine in a celebration of flavor and cultural fusion the European Capital of Culture title offers an invitation to experience European cities in new and unexpected ways it means discovering the untold stories of a city reborn from its industrial ashes it means witnessing the blending of borders and cultures in a truly unique setting The idea of elevating regional cities and towns to the world stage is a powerful reminder that culture thrives beyond major capitals like Berlin or Paris These designated Capitals of Culture often reveal the untold stories of regions that As travel becomes more focused on authentic experiences these lesser-known cities provide an opportunity for exploration beyond the typical European tourist hubs Visiting Chemnitz or the twin cities of Nova Gorica and Gorizia in 2025 offers the chance to see Europe through a different lens: one that celebrates diversity in front of a recently revamped Habsburg-era train station wears an aviator jacket and has the weather-beaten look of Indiana Jones on a day off."},"children":[]}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"“I’m a former smuggler,” he tells us “And will show you how to be one too.” "},"children":[]}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"We’re standing in Gorizia a small town near Trieste in northeastern Italy — but seconds later we walk across the road and have unknowingly crossed the invisible border that separates Slovenia from Italy Both towns are this year’s European Capital of Culture — the first time that there’s been a transnational winner."},"children":[]}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Nova Gorica (“New Gorizia” in Slovenian) didn’t exist"},"children":[]},{"name":"paywall","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":" as a town in its own right until 1947 In the chaotic aftermath of the Second World War the Allied Powers sent a committee to explore this fertile and decide where to mark the border between what was then Yugoslavia and Italy “It split farmers’ houses from their fields children from their schools and even cut a cemetery in two.” People weren’t able to visit the graves of relatives and farmers found that they now needed a border pass to go and feed their livestock The Allies had essentially consigned all of the town’s farmland and suburbs to Yugoslavia That caused an imbalance in what products were easily available — alongside access to very different global markets — and a vast practice of smuggling began rich or poor."}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Nowadays the two towns treat their history of smuggling with a certain levity visit two compact museums about smuggling and life during the Cold War called Prepustnica (on the Slovenian side) and Lasciapassare (on the Italian side) One particularly prized good for Yugoslavs was coffee — so much so that you could exchange 200 grams of coffee for a dozen eggs if his mother bought three kilograms of coffee in Italy she would put it on the car’s back seat and tell the kids to sit on it They then had to pretend to sleep until they got past customs recounts how once her father’s car broke down and the mechanic said it would take a few days to fix it suddenly the parts were available and the car was fixed that day "}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"On the tour we get to try out smuggling ourselves I’ve been given a porn magazine to take back to censorious Yugoslavia: an old edition of Playboy with Joan Collins in a red dress on the cover We have to confront a man dressed up as a border guard I’m suddenly feeling nervous with the fake Playboy stuffed into my handbag whereas an American child on the tour gleefully tucks a huge roll of cash into his sleeve and lines up happily "}}]},{"name":"inlineAd1","children":[]},{"name":"interactive","attributes":{"id":"016605fb-7d27-4165-89cf-86ff753ca0ed","display":"primary","url":"https://components.timesdev.tools/lib2/newsletter-puff-1.0.0/newsletter-puff.html","element":{"value":"newsletter-puff","attributes":{"code":"TNL-149","copy":"Our experts share the best travel inspiration hotel reviews and advice","label":"In your inbox","date-to":"2025-03-26","headline":"Travel newsletter","imageUri":"https://www.thetimes.com/imageserver/image/methode%2Ftimes%2Fprod%2Fweb%2Fbin%2F78677f6f-e092-4e65-a858-70b1c78fc048.jpg?resize=800","date-from":"2025-03-26"}}},"children":[]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"The “customs officer” accuses the person in front of me of having too baggy jeans: “Suspicious Roll up your trouser leg!” "}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"This peculiar instruction harks back to Yugoslavs’ obsession with Levi’s jeans Peric tells us that one trick involved choosing the skinniest person to go over the border and buy three pairs of jeans: one very tight with the kids around me earnestly playing their parts (adults £29 But Cattunar tells me that the absurd nature of smuggling hides darker facets of that era like the violence of Italy’s fascist regime and the"}},{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" foibe"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" massacres (mass killings of opponents to the Communist regime by Yugoslav forces named after the naturally occurring sinkholes in the Karst area into which victims were thrown alive) smuggling was actually an activity that united the two communities "}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Cattunar says that the Capital of Culture honour has had the effect of reopening dialogue and cultural exchange between Gorizia and Nova Gorica “Now we’ve remembered that it’s a good thing to be a mixed community to be people who live between cultures and languages We don’t need to just talk about the dark side of nationalism We can also be a model for cross-border relations,” says Cattunar."}}]},{"name":"inlineAd2","children":[]},{"name":"image","attributes":{"id":"758d055e-3474-4a23-9761-7dc887585d37","display":"fullwidth","caption":"Victory Square in Gorizia Italy","title":"View of Victory Square in Gorizia there was more linguistic mixing — Slovenians often spoke Italian and vice versa and during Austro-Hungarian rule schooling was in German and that’s immediately apparent in the architecture cobbled streets and large Austrian squares are far quainter than Nova Gorica’s grey straight avenues and Soviet rectangular buildings Bizjak explains that locals cross freely between the two towns Borderless” slogan for the Capital of Culture designation the Italian government imposed random border checks between Gorizia and Slovenia as an “antiterrorism measure” to crack down on migrants coming into Europe through the Balkans Our tour passes a small group of police officers waving down the occasional car coming through the border for security checks next to the “Italia” road sign in EU-blue."}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"War is part of the landscape here: Second World War bomb fragments are still frequently found in the fields surrounding the towns while the Sabatino hill that looms over the Nova Gorica station has a Cold War-era Hollywood sign: huge letters painted in white Rudyard Kipling came to the area in 1917 to report from the front lines asleep beneath us […] by the talking Isonzo.” In the dry March sun Gorizia is again pink with the flowering cherry blossom that lines the streets of the town and the Isonzo river is a mad rush of white — still talking — through the fields "}}]},{"name":"image","attributes":{"id":"91361683-0fa6-4113-89b6-4295bcfeb960","display":"fullwidth","caption":"Stay at La Casa di Kipling near to the centre of Gorizia","title":"Bedroom with four-poster bed and wooden room divider.","credits":null,"url":"https://www.thetimes.com/imageserver/image/%2F7ab46d64-4fa9-4dc0-b7db-769af956bcc7.jpg?crop=2155%2C1361%2C0%2C46","ratio":"2155:1361","relativeHorizontalOffset":0,"relativeVerticalOffset":0.029947916666666668,"relativeWidth":0.9353298611111112,"relativeHeight":0.8860677083333334},"children":[]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"If you’re on the Kipling trail a beautifully decorated apartment run by a local family A picture of its namesake hangs in the hallway and it comes with everything you could possibly need — including an ingenious cupboard with the essentials: make-up remover The owner Marilisa Bombi is a font of local knowledge and will happily help you book local experiences or museums One of the things worth doing is a wine tasting in Italy’s nearby Collio region where the owner Sasa introduces me to a selection of their aromatic vintages in flawless English There are also rooms if you fancy waking up to Kipling’s pink light over the vineyards (B&B doubles for two from £100 you can also take a day trip to Grado — a mini-Venice on a lagoon and the preferred spa town of the Austrian empire — or for a bit more action hike in Slovenia’s Vipava Valley or go kayaking in nearby Solkan with its more than 10,000 ancient books and a beautiful rose arbour that looks out across the town and where the last of France’s Bourbon kings are buried (samostan-kostanjevica.si)."}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Known for being the place where the last wall dividing east and west came down Gorizia and Nova Gorica are a fascinating symbol of European unity but also illustrate its fragility — it only takes the whims of a belligerent government to risk the return of borders once again."}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Catherine Bennett was a guest of La Casa di Kipling which has room-only doubles from £134 ("}}]},{"name":"link","children":[{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"lussosulconfine.it"}}]}],"attributes":{"href":"https://www.lussosulconfine.it/"}},{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":") Fly to Trieste"}}]}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"link","children":[{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Become a subscriber"}}]}],"attributes":{"href":"https://www.thetimes.com/subscribe/"}},{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" and along with unlimited digital access to The Times and The Sunday Times you can enjoy a collection of travel offers and competitions curated by our trusted travel partners especially for Times+ members"}}]}]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":200})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"The tour group meets on the Piazza della Transalpina wears an"},"children":[]}]}]},"dropcapsDisabled":false,"expirableFlags":[],"keywords":{"type":"json","json":["the","capital","of","culture","—","and","smuggling","—","that","straddles","two","countries"]},"leadAsset":{"type":"id","generated":false,"id":"Image:fabbc164-aa6d-4b6f-b71e-c08382c467db","typename":"Image"},"relatedArticleSlice":null,"sharingEnabled":true,"savingEnabled":true,"standfirst":"An invisible border divides Gorizia Experience their intriguing history in museums and an interactive escape tour","slug":"the-capital-of-culture-and-smuggling-that-straddles-two-countries","categoryPath":"/travel/destinations/europe-travel/slovenia/the-capital-of-culture-and-smuggling-that-straddles-two-countries-73chlllbj","__typename":"Article"},"Image:fabbc164-aa6d-4b6f-b71e-c08382c467db":{"caption":"The old town centre of Gorizia","credits":"Alamy","title":"Gorizia and an interactive escape tourThe old town centre of GoriziaALAMYCatherine BennettSaturday March 29 2025 The Sunday TimesThe tour group meets on the Piazza della Transalpina wears an aviator jacket and has the weather-beaten look of Indiana Jones on a day off Both towns are this year’s European Capital of Culture — the first time that there’s been a transnational winner Nova Gorica (“New Gorizia” in Slovenian) didn’t exist as a town in its own right until 1947 Visitors can go on a smuggling tourANA ROJC“The border ended up being drawn on a map with a ruler and a pencil,” Alessandro Cattunar families had to choose which country and which political system they wanted to belong to — an enormous decision that would affect them for decades to come • 10 of the most beautiful places in Italy The new border landed on the outskirts of Gorizia Nowadays the two towns treat their history of smuggling with a certain levity and even take part in a smuggling-themed escape game The Slovenia/Italy border in Nova Gorica/GoriziaGETTY IMAGESIt seems like everyone in Gorizia has a story to share about smuggling On the tour we get to try out smuggling ourselves The “customs officer” accuses the person in front of me of having too baggy jeans: “Suspicious This peculiar instruction harks back to Yugoslavs’ obsession with Levi’s jeans Then they would wear all of them at once and waddle back into Yugoslavia • Read our full guide to Italy Luckily my wide-eyed innocence convinces the guard and my scandalous Playboy is let through like the violence of Italy’s fascist regime and the foibe massacres (mass killings of opponents to the Communist regime by Yugoslav forces Cattunar says that the Capital of Culture honour has had the effect of reopening dialogue and cultural exchange between Gorizia and Nova Gorica We can also be a model for cross-border relations,” says Cattunar ItalyALAMYThe sudden separation of the two communities in 1947 had the effect of cementing political and cultural differences sometimes just to pop to the shops for a product that might be cheaper over the border • 10 of the best walking holidays in Italy for 2025 War is part of the landscape here: Second World War bomb fragments are still frequently found in the fields surrounding the towns Stay at La Casa di Kipling near to the centre of GoriziaIf you’re on the Kipling trail Vineyards draped over the hills produce the acidic and floral Ribolla Gialla grape and are famous for orange wines There are also rooms if you fancy waking up to Kipling’s pink light over the vineyards (B&B doubles for two from £100 • Read our full guide to Slovenia Although there’s enough in Gorizia to occupy you for a long weekend the last of France’s Bourbon kings are buried (samostan-kostanjevica.si) Become a subscriber and History will be made in just one month as Nova Gorica and Gorizia will become the first-ever cities to jointly hold the European Capital of Culture (ECoC) title With major investments in cross-border infrastructure and cultural initiatives the region has been transformed under the inspiring slogan Go Borderless Over 400 events are featured in the official programme along with countless more in the accompanying schedule making 2025 a truly extraordinary year for both Slovenia and Italy The stage is set for a year of cultural brilliance with a new amphitheatre taking shape, the railway station undergoing a major renovation and a vibrant lineup of screenings concerts and dance performances awaiting in both cities Four grand highlights punctuate the year: the grand opening ceremony in February, the March for Europe in May, cross-border culinary delights in September and the enchanting joint festive lighting in December As the first-ever transnational bid for the title this joint application was uniquely compelling It’s invigorating to witness a European Capital of Culture defined by an intentionally open border celebrating the rich heritage and diversity on both sides The concept of a “borderless” capital – serving as a living laboratory for fostering deeper connections and cooperation across nations while navigating multiple languages and political systems – feels profoundly timely and forward-thinking Nova Gorica and Gorizia are buzzing with preparations to welcome culture and art enthusiasts from around the world as the European Capital of Culture  2025 On 8 February, Slovenian Cultural Holiday Nova Gorica and Gorizia will embark on a new kicking off the year of European Capital of Culture The two cities will be the very first cross-border ECoC Borderless” that emphasises our goal to cross all borders The opening ceremony alone will feature more than 100 performers and more than 100 authors The programme builds on the foundational pillars outlined in the bid book – “GO! Europe, GO! Share, GO! Green and EPIC” – which have evolved into specific thematic narratives Reflecting on the turbulent history of the region this segment explores themes of conflict and reconciliation From the Walk of Peace along WWI battlefields to Zoran Mušič's haunting Dachau drawings and projects like Memory Ambulance & Archive Brigades and Art Against Guns it addresses war’s impact on culture and humanity Inspired by Edvard Ravnikar's post-WWII vision of Nova Gorica and the groundbreaking ideas of Franco Basaglia this segment focuses on innovation in architecture culminating in visionary projects like Tomi Janežič's Dodecalogy Celebrating cross-border cultural exchange this segment highlights the transfer of knowledge Programme includes events like Borderless Body and the Biennial of Young Creators of Europe and the Mediterranean addressing themes of migration and interconnectedness Celebrating the region’s natural splendour zero-waste cultural events and local food initiatives with its emerald green hue serves as both an inspiration and a symbol as well as initiatives such as the Atlas of Forgotten Orchards and Fruit of the Sun culture pays tribute to nature while fostering a deeper connection to the environment 8 February From Station to Station. The grand opening of the European Capital of Culture will unite the two cities with a symbolic procession from Gorizia to Nova Gorica railway stations A powerful simultaneous march across several European cities divided by national borders accompanied by artistic projects that turn border crossings into art and symbols of unity 26–28 September Tastes without Borders One of the region’s most beloved food and wine festivals expands to the Slovenian side offering a feast of gourmet delights enhanced by artistic experiences 1–3 December Enlighted Closing Ceremony Nova Gorica and Gorizia will sparkle with captivating light installations marking the festive conclusion of the European Capital of Culture on This Merry Day of Culture ask for a reply Wanted in RomeMagazine The presidents of Italy and Slovenia on Saturday attended official ceremonies to inaugurate the European Capital of Culture two towns from neighbouring countries - Gorizia in northeastern Italy and Nova Gorica in western Slovenia - joined forces to share the status of European Capital of Culture 2025 Italian president Sergio Mattarella and Slovenian president Nataša Pirc Musar attended a ceremony in Europe Square with hundreds of artists performing in GO!25 cultural events on both sides of the border throughout the day The prestigious title is deepy symbolic for Gorizia and Nova Gorica which Gorizia was abruptly split down the middle when the Treaty of Paris established Europe's new borders In his speech President Mattarella underlined the importance of cross-border cooperation and the two countries' membership of the European Union "In a world characterised by growing tensions and conflicts by the abandonment of cooperation as a founding element of international life Slovenia and Italy have been able to demonstrate that it is possible to choose the path of cooperation" "Nova Gorica and Gorizia are the symbol of the new Europe: freedom where before a forced separation prevailed where before distrust resisted" - Mattarella said - "Nova Gorica and Gorizia are a sign of hope in a continent wounded by the tragic return of war and challenged by impetuous changes" In her speech President Pirc Musar underlined the historic significance of the event hailing it as "a day of a century-old vision of peace good neighbourly relations and mutual respect She also emphasised the profound symbolism of the event we are inaugurating the European Capital of Culture which for the first time in its history brings together two cities For the full GO!25 programme of the 400 scheduled cultural events over the course of the year see the official website Wanted in Rome ™ is member of the Wanted World Wide Ltd network.Click here to find out more about our Network or Follow us on social networks © 2025 / 2026 Wanted World Wide LTD Network the Prime Minister praised the implementation of the railway station upgrade and thanked the contractors and all those who designed and supervised the works and managed the investment on behalf of the Government "This investment confirms the Government's commitment to continue to invest in clean technologies in the zero-carbon future that will promote public transport and the development of the railway network across the country," he said adding that there are several railway infrastructure projects underway in Slovenia The Prime Minster stressed the importance of the renovation of Nova Gorica Railway Station the coordinated efforts of the Ministry of Culture the Government Office for Slovenians Abroad in cooperation with the municipalities of Nova Gorica and Gorizia to set the two towns as an example for all of Europe," said the Prime Minister He added that together they strived to connect cultural activities with investments in infrastructure "We are opening up a new future for Nova Gorica and Gorizia in which they will shine together This investment has a great symbolic significance It will bring the two towns closer and allow them to function in even greater harmony The Prime Minster linked the opening of the railway station with the European Capital of Culture Nova Gorica–Gorizia GO!25 the umbrella under which many ideas and visions were brought together we are opening not only this railway station but also a new future for Nova Gorica and Gorizia A future the whole of Europe will talk about after next Saturday both towns will shine brighter on the map of Europe," concluded Prime Minister Golob ask for a reply It has now been 40 years since the first nomination of a city as European Capital of Culture an initiative that rewards those entities capable of contributing to the strengthening of the European “spirit” and cultural ties of the people living in EU countries Nova Gorica and Gorizia were jointly awarded the title and it is the first time that two cities belonging to different states have been nominated.The border between Italy and Slovenia is a point of conjunction of the two urban contexts and finds in the Transalpina Square with the “wall” that crossed it has its roots in the Middle Ages and has had a complex history that led it to be first a county and finally a territory of bloody “reconquest” by the Italians during World War I Nova Gorica grew up on the half ceded to the then Yugoslavia by the 1947 Treaty of Paris.The two cities remained strictly separate until Slovenia declared independence in 1991 while the border fell in 2004 when the country joined the European Union Precisely on the basis of these troubled events the claim accompanying the program of the European Capital of Culture 2025 is “GO Borderless,” and the organizers were inspired by a cross-border character capable of involving other provinces of Friuli Venezia Giulia and Slovenia as well a significant date because it commemorates both the “National Day of Slovenian Culture” set to commemorate the death of Slovenian poet France Prešeren in 1849 and the birth of Giuseppe Ungaretti the famous poet who fought on the Gorizia Karst from 1915 to 1918 during the Great War In the presence of authorities-including President Sergio Mattarella and President of the Republic of Slovenia Nataša Pirc Musar-and national and international guests marching bands and folklore groups set off from the Gorizia train station to reach Piazza Vittoria a large ball covered with pages of local newspapers in this case “Il Piccolo” and “Primorsk.” was the protagonist of the evocative Walking Sculpture performance and was rolled up to the San Gabriele Street crossing to then be “picked up” by Slovenian hands who led it to the Nova Gorica City Hall “lit” like an Olympic flashlight Many performances were staged in the squares and during the highlights of the ceremony the square shared by the two cities - and newly renovated - where the party went late into the night with DJ sets by Daddy G of Massive Attack and Andy Smith of Portishead 2025’s programming is based: “War and Peace,” “The Making of the New,” “Smugglers,” and “So Much Green.” “These pillars overlook different worlds,” explains Stojan Pelko The final schedule is still subject to adjustment throughout the year and at the moment seems a bit underwhelming from the visual arts perspective; however (who will also be the focus of exhibitions on Slovenian soil): Muši Landscapes of the Body will be staged at Attems Petzenstein Palace from May 23 to October 19 and will present the Zurich Room of the famous painter and engraver born in Bukovica Beyond Borders and Ungaretti Poet and Soldier Poetry Painting History at the Museum of St a group show of contemporary authors who have reinterpreted the poet’s experience during World War I Also announced will be an exhibition related to the treasures of Aquileia and the exhibition Three Looks with photographs by Steve McCurry Alex Majoli and Meta Krese to narrate the concept of borders The tribute to Franco Basaglia will include the circulation to Slovenian venues of the installation Marco Cavallo a symbol of the breaking down of boundaries and prejudices about mental health Nova Gorica devoted last year and will continue to devote great attention to architect Edvard Ravnikar author of the city’s urban plan; until Sept 18 one can also visit in the Slovenian National Theater Seizing the Storm by Eta Sadar Breznik an artist who represents one of the most important exponents of world textile art the Biennial of Young Artists of Europe and the Mediterranean will arrive in both cities with the theme in keeping with the spirit of the European Capital of Culture Numerous other events will land in Gorizia and Nova Gorica from the Festival of Complexity to the food and wine festival Gusti di Frontiera and theater productions will materialize: for example the transgenerational docu-fiction by director Tomi Janeži and Anja Medved’s documentary on World War II witnesses The concerts are significant: Massive Attack (June 24) and Thirty Seconds to Mars (July 3) will perform at the Casa Rossa Arena in Gorizia Flanking the official program are events organized by the “friends,” namely the Friuli territories 2025&Friends schedule the exhibitions Steve McCurry open until May 4 in the Salone degli Incanti in Trieste set up at the Magazzino delle Idee in the Julian capital until April 27 In the splendid spaces of Villa Manin in Codroipo with many models of iconic Italian motorcycles 11 Marco Goldin’s new exhibition project PromoTursimo FVG is offering two guided tours throughout 2025 to explore the areas of the European Capital of Culture: these are Gorizia Atmospheres For those who wish to arrange their own visit to the two cities we briefly list the most interesting places from whose heights the enchanting view of the Collio opens up Passing through the monumental Leopoldina gate we come to the Castello suburb and then to the Provincial Museums and the Archaeological Collection; at present sang the infantrymen who survived the Sixth Battle of the Isonzo in which some 21,000 Italian and 9,000 Austro-Hungarian soldiers lost their lives): it was inaugurated in 1938 by designer Ghino Venturi to house the remains of those who fell in the atrocious clashes on the Karst The best place to cross the border between Italy and Slovenia is Piazza Transalpina which we have already mentioned: not only because of its symbolic significance but also because the station is an early 20th-century building-the Jesenice-Trieste railway line was inaugurated by Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1906-still well preserved and still exploited by the cinema for its authentically retro atmosphere the City Gallery and various private art galleries The latter location is also home to the Mount Sabotino Peace Park Kromberk Castle is the main exhibition space of the Goriški muzej Jegat third as Aleotti escapes select lead group The Italian pressed clear with 7km remaining and quickly established a sizeable advantage. He managed his lead smartly thereafter, coming home 11 seconds clear of a chasing group that was led across the line by Jhonatan Narvaéz (Ineos Grenadiers) Jordan Jegat (TotalEnergies) took third place ahead of Filippo Zana (Jayco-Alula) and Giulio Pellizzari (VF-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè) with the peloton whittled down considerably by the first of two ascents of Ravnica with Archie Ryan setting a fearsome pace on the climb to Ravnica on behalf of his fellow Irishman Ben Healy Dangerman Matej Mohoric (Bahrain Victorious) was among those distanced by Ryan’s forcing only a dozen or so riders remained in contention the evergreen Pozzovivo was the first rider to follow but they were unable to distance Narvaéz A spirited attempt for Jegat also petered out before Aleotti sensed his opportunity with 7km remaining Aleotti’s five previous professional wins had all come on the Sibiu Tour but it quickly became apparent that he was on the cusp of claiming his first victory away from Romanian roads After stretching his lead out to 25 seconds on the descent he looked a likely winner as he approached the final kilometre despite a late attempt from Pellizzari and Bilbao to bridge across Aleotti’s victory puts him into the overall lead with a 12-second advantage over Narvaez The race continues with a key summit finish at Krvavec on Saturday Results powered by FirstCycling a border town right in the heart of Europe with one foot in Italy and one in Slovenia is considered the ultimate melting pot of Friuli Venezia Giulia and will be the European Capital of Culture 2025 now that Gorizia and Nova Gorica have been chosen as the European Capital of Culture for 2025 we're going to shine a special spotlight on this border town with Slovenia Gorizia is a charming city in northeastern Italy but it hasn't gotten much tourist attention until now - and to be honest like Trieste and Udine and the ski resort Tarvisio have more to offer thanks to its strategic location at the foot of the Julian Alps and along the Isonzo River Gorizia has become a unique melting pot of influences over the centuries It's always been a meeting point for different peoples and languages With its unique history of cross-border cooperation like the secret meetings between leaders from Gorizia and Nova Gorica in the '60s the city continues to inspire European unity Its multicultural heritage reminds us that strong bonds are formed through sharing art Gorizia's story kicks off in the Middle Ages when it was part of the County of Gorizia a pretty important place in Central Europe and it became a key border city in the Austro-Hungarian Empire You can still see this cosmopolitan past in the architecture - there are some gorgeous palazzo's and mansions that may remind you of Vienna Gorizia played a crucial role in the Battle of the Isonzo You'll find lots of historical sites in and around the city that remind us of those turbulent times with Nova Gorica popping up on the other side of the border in what's now Slovenia that border symbolizes unity and cooperation which you can see perfectly at Piazza Transalpina the difference between these two cities that were once one is huge While Nova Gorica shows off Russian-influenced functional architecture Gorizia has kept much of its 16th-century structure intact Not all events are set in stone yet, but here's what's definitely happening: https://www.go2025.eu/en/whats-up/events Palazzo Attems Petzenstein in Gorizia is opening its doors for "Andy Warhol Beyond Borders" - a pretty incredible exhibition about the life and art of the father of Pop Art With around 180 pieces from prestigious European collections you'll get to dive deep into Warhol's artistic journey from his early days as a fashion and advertising illustrator to becoming the 20th century's most influential icon.Visitors can check out famous works like Campbell's Soup along with portraits of legends like Muhammad Ali and Jackie Kennedy There are multimedia installations and iconic photos that really bring his world to life and show how Warhol used art to shine a light on social and cultural issues put together by Gianni Mercurio and produced by Madeinart offers a fascinating look at an artist who forever changed how we think about art and consumption Borderless Body is breaking new ground as Nova Gorica's first-ever "permanent" cross-border dance ensemble they're planning some mind-bending dance and multimedia performances that explore the boundaries between the human body and artificial intelligence The main event in 2025 is going to be something special - it's happening in a post-apocalyptic setting in a local quarry.The project brings together researchers and scientists from all sorts of fields and is one of the Cultural Capital's headline events helping to put contemporary dance on the global map which is famous for its aristocratic heritage is launching a new exhibition celebrating the courage and determination of mountaineers like Julius Kugy and pioneering female climbers highlighting Kugy's legacy: his discoveries in the Friulian Alps and his strong connection with alpine guides The exhibition also throws the spotlight on women at high altitudes inspired by rare 1909 photos of Countess Carmen Coronini Cronberg in the Dolomites It showcases the contributions of women who broke social norms and conquered mountains.Marking the 80th anniversary of Kugy's death the exhibition celebrates his unique perspective on mountains and connects it with the stories of female pioneers Palazzo Coronini bridges its aristocratic charm with the untamed beauty of the mountains taking visitors on an inspiring journey through courage and discovery After killing it with their latest album 'It's the end of the world Thirty Seconds to Mars is giving fans what they want with a new tour They're hitting up the biggest shows and festivals across Europe in summer 2025 Their only stop in northeastern Italy will be on July 3 2025' program - an initiative by the Friuli Venezia Giulia region and PromoTurismoFVG to jazz up the Cultural Capital's music and cultural calendar If you're registered with My Live Nation (it's free to sign up at livenation.it) you get first dibs with exclusive presale starting Tuesday you'll see that Gorizia is a city that charms visitors with its character and versatility You absolutely can't miss checking out the impressive Castello di Gorizia with collections ranging from medieval artifacts to modern art The historic Borgo Castello district is still a great place to wander around with its narrow streets and old buildings.The city is famous for its food scene Make sure you try local specialties like goulash and the fantastic wines from the Collio region just outside the city what's now Piazza della Vittoria was known as "Travnik" - that's Slovenian for meadow - because it was basically just open grasslands at the foot of the castle hill Things started changing in the 18th century when they built the Sant'Ignazio Jesuit college designed by Nicolò Pacassi and built by Marco Chiereghin in 1756 is still there from when the place was called "Piazza Grande." the historic palace on the square became the Provincial Capitol and later the Prefecture after Italy took over with Via Roma and the INPS building next to Sant'Ignazio when the square finally got the look it has today They're finally wrapping up the long-awaited elevator project to the Gorizia castle - something that's been stuck in limbo since 2011 thanks to bankruptcies and surprise archaeological finds they're completing the ramp connection and two cabins one of which will take you straight from Piazza della Vittoria up to the fort which was the city's biggest attraction with over 50,000 visitors in 2019 tourists and locals alike. But it's not just about the elevator - they've got plans to breathe new life into the surrounding Borgo Castello too This includes fixing up the Bastione Fiorito and renovating Casa Rassauer which will house a shop and fifteen mini-apartments With help from EU funding and local partners like the Fondazione Coronini Gorizia wants to make the castle and its historic surroundings even more appealing the elevator is key to all this: "The castle shouldn't just be for tourists - we want our own residents to make the most of it too." sitting near the eastern city gate with its own tower and drawbridge originally belonged to the counts of Gorizia before it was transformed into what we now know as Palazzo Lantieri After the last count of Gorizia passed away in 1505 Antonio Lantieri di Paratico got his hands on the property the Lantieri family kept adding to the palace building impressive new wings and picking up fancy titles like Barons and Counts of the Holy Roman Empire made quite a name for themselves fighting against the Turks under Eugenio di Savoia.The palace wasn't just a home - it was a proper cultural hotspot where famous artists like Fogolino and Pittoni left their mark Even though it's been through restorations and took some hits during World War I Palazzo Lantieri has held onto much of its historic and artistic charm The unique Sala della Cabala and the impressive 200-meter city wall are reminders of its defensive past while the tower with its 16th-century wings shows off its former glory takes pride in the fact that her family has been running the palazzo for over 500 years and loves to tell visitors about how big names like Schiller plum-filled gnocchi are an absolute must-try that harks back to the Austro-Hungarian Empire: at that time and eggs encases a plum filled with breadcrumbs What makes this dish truly special is its versatility: it can be served as either a main course or dessert The Rosa di Gorizia is one of Friuli-Venezia Giulia's most prized culinary specialties This unique radicchio grows in a special microclimate and is carefully cultivated by local farmers united in the Associazione Produttori della Rosa di Gorizia It's a product that prioritizes quality over quantity traditionally with guanciale (cured pork cheek) or in modern dishes such as vasocottura (prepared with pomegranate juice and oil) a celebration of all the delicious things this border region produces from both sides we will add the updates as soon as they are available.   There are three cross-border routes that let you soak up the atmosphere of a city that found itself suddenly divided by borders decided elsewhere all in one night long ago: You can get info about these routes at the Gorizia Tourist Office "From the Court of France to Gorizia": follow the golden exile of the Bourbons leading to the Castagnevizza monastery Besides the classic tour of the Habsburg palaces and old town streets (which earned the city its nickname 'the Nice of the Empire') you can check out the sights at sunset and enjoy views from the castle This tour showcases the city's Jewish history and crosses into Slovenia to visit the Jewish cemetery of Val di Rose finishing up at the synagogue with a focus on kosher food You'll get a propusnica - a now-legendary pass that used to be required for crossing the border - then the visit continues to the Smugglers' Museum to Piazza Transalpina (where you can stand with one foot in Italy and one in Slovenia) Dolcevia® is a registered trademark - 2024-2025 Copyright Dolcevia.com Don't miss our new features for slow travelers - Experience a different Italy Not yet subscribed to VIP Zone? Click here The Dresden Symphony Orchestra is known for its love of experimentation Now they are sending a musical message to Slovenia - to the European Capital of Culture Nova Gorica The Dresden Symphony Orchestra is presenting the Slovenian town of Nova Gorica with a sound installation as the European Capital of Culture it will be performed in the town's picturesque Rafut Park from May 7 four horn players from the symphony orchestra will give an open-air concert together with their colleagues from the ForCour Quartet from Slovenia The installation will transform the park into an interactive soundscape guests can discover and listen to the sounds of individual instrument groups such as oboes violins or the percussion on selected trees the orchestra gradually comes together acoustically Robert Schumann's "Forest Scenes" in an orchestral version by Andreas Boyde and the "Forest Symphony" by Slovenian composer Matej Bonin are played to match the location.The app also provides information about the instruments the audience should not only enjoy the music The Dresden Symphony Orchestra was founded at the end of the 1990s and is made up of musicians from several European orchestras The projects have often dealt with political issues the symphony orchestra protested musically at the border between Mexico and the USA against the wall being pushed by US President Donald Trump Chemnitz also holds the title of European Capital of Culture this year A wealth of events are also planned there until the end of the year © 2009 - 2025 DieSachsen.de | Alle Rechte vorbehalten | Entwickelt mit publizer in Sachsen um Ihr unglaubliches Erlebniss auf DieSachsen.de weiter verbessern zu können Palazzo Attems Petzenstein in Gorizia is hosting the exhibition Andy Warhol which is part of the official program “GO!2025,” the exhibition conceived and promoted by the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia on the occasion of “Nova Gorica - Gorizia European Capital of Culture.” Through 180 exhibited works intends to immerse the visitor in the cultural and artistic revolution that Andy Warhol on the occasion of this exhibition project the artistic career and life of the American artist is traced as well as the fundamental themes of his art starting from his training as an illustrator in the field of advertising and fashion two worlds that profoundly influenced his career the exhibition explores themes such as music key aspects that not only shaped Warhol’s work but continue to be staples of contemporary art along with portraits of celebrities such as Jackie Kennedy Grace Kelly and fictional characters Superman and Mickey Mouse show how the artist was able to transform mass culture into timeless icons The works on display come from European collections as well as numerous magazines from the 1950s and a significant issue of Interview magazine Also on display are two multimedia installations in the Music section: the legendary 1966 multimedia event The Exploding Plastic Inevitable featuring Nico and Lou Reed’s Velvet Underground and the striking Silver Clouds a room full of helium-inflated silver pillows floating in the air creating a playful and interactive atmosphere Warhol took on the symbols of American society such as the Campbell’s Soup label or the Coca-Cola logo elevating them to new art forms designed to enter the public’s everyday life and art galleries able to anticipate the dynamics of a society increasingly oriented toward media and consumption Audiences have an opportunity to perceive how far Warhol’s influence extended beyond his time and artistic field and how much he inspired successive generations of artists Tickets: Full 12 euros; reduced 8 euros for FVGcard holders reduced groups min 12 / max 30 people (rate per person); tour guides with badge Reduced children (6-17 years) and over 65 euros 5 euros Family ticket: 10 euros parent each + 5 euros per child 6-17 years old accompanying person for persons with disabilities who have an accompanying need specified in the disability card journalists upon presentation of their card in good standing including the presidents of Slovenia and Italy the festivities will start with a brass band parade setting off from the Gorizia railway station at 10am before visiting locations on both sides of the border Led by the Gong Cross-Border Wind Orchestra the procession will move along the Corso to the city centre where the baton will pass to the Slovenian and Italian Police Orchestras In Piazza della Vittoria (Victory Square) the audience will be addressed at 11.15am by the mayors of both cities Rodolfo Ziberna from Gorizia and Samo Turel from Nova Gorica This will kick off a cross-border parade featuring over 700 performers from each side of the border Members of local sports and cultural associations will fill the streets with dance The parade will cross the border into Slovenia at around 2pm at Erjavčeva Street and then head to Bevk Square where it will be greeted by the two mayors once again at around 3pm to wrap up the morning part of the festivities The official opening ceremony featuring high-profile guests will follow at 4pm in the newly renovated Europe Square on the border Speakers include President Nataša Pirc Musar and her Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella and other senior officials from both countries and the European Commission at which heightened security measures will apply will also see the Police Orchestras from both countries perform the national anthems of Slovenia The event will be broadcast live by RTV Slovenija and Italy's RAI 2025 opening spectacle will take place in Edvard Kardelj Square in Nova Gorica starting at 6pm with a welcome address by Prime Minister Robert Golob Multiinstrumentalist Boštjan Gombač will then perform on the Neanderthal flute considered to be the oldest musical instrument in the world He will be accompanied by wind orchestras from the Idrija and Cerkno region in western Slovenia where the flute was found The highlights of the European Capital of Culture will be presented by several artists including pianists Alexander Gadjiev and Giuseppe Guarrera and the band MRFY will perform a song created together with Laibach joined by the Borderless Opera Choir and the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra will perform an adaptation of the song Together/Insieme as the recurring theme of the day The organisers have also promised some surprises The opening festivities will wrap up with what has been dubbed a borderless party DJ Brina Knauss will be on stage in Edvard Kardelj Square while DJs Daddy G and Andy Smith will entertain the crowd in Europe Square clubs and restaurants in both cities long into the night Several roads will be closed to traffic due to the opening ceremony, Info on traffic and parking regime as well as a full schedule of events and other details are available at the website https://www.go-borderless.eu/en ask for a reply New side and island platforms with an overhanging roof were built The total length of the platforms is 387 metres Platforms and access routes are fitted with urban equipment and information signs and equipment (access floor markings Station platforms are fitted with SOS pillars and LCD displays with information on train departures The Nova Gorica railway station also boasts a new underpass which allows passengers safe and easy access to the platforms which is slightly more than 57 metres long and 10 metres wide is equipped with stairs and elevators and connects Trg Evrope/Square Transalpine with Nova Gorica It enables passengers to access the railway station from both sides The station building was renovated in accordance with the conditions set by the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia and included technical rooms as well as partial renovation of the facade with the rehabilitation of the existing overhanging roof by the platform The track infrastructure was also renovated with tracks and track devices having been upgraded in a total length of 6.82 kilometres The railway station upgrade project also included the demolition of the existing and the construction of a new loading ramp for motorail trains telecommunications and electrical installations and the installation of a new passenger information system On the eastern side of the railway station immediately next to the underpass under the railway line there is a new parking lot for 66 vehicles with another six parking spaces for people with disabilities two parking spaces for taxis and six parking spaces equipped with everything necessary for installing electric charging stations There is also a new bus stop for railway passengers and a new 250 metre-long access road to Erjavčeva Street via the existing junction The total construction cost is EUR 41.56 million excluding VAT of which EUR 43 million financial support from the EU's Recovery and Resilience Fund The Municipality of Nova Gorica contributed EUR 800,000 excluding VAT for underpass construction ask for a reply Nova Gorica and Gorizia will launch the story "Go Cross-Border" with an artistic spectacle – the highlight of a full day of events We discussed with our guests the journey of Nova Gorica which began in 2016 with an idea proposed by Neda Rusjan Bric then the mayor of Nova Gorica and now a minister They suggested that Slovenia’s Capital of Culture should be something different – a reflection of cross-border identity Cross-border cooperation is authentic to this region and rooted in its history Nova Gorica invited the Italian city of Gorizia to join in a shared bid The European Capital of Culture project therefore is a major step toward achieving an ambitious goal: overcoming physical and mental boundaries between the two cities and two communities Tune in on your favourite platform to listen or watch and enjoy the experience The Government Podcast is designed to provide an in-depth presentation of government content and other topical and socially relevant issues In addition to more direct contact with the public it also provides a space for additional and in-depth explanation of government decisions ask for a reply the Ministry of Culture has worked with cultural institutions and professionals to strengthen international cultural relations and cultural diplomacy This has included leveraging two exceptional opportunities to enhance the global visibility of Slovenian culture and art: Slovenia as the Guest of Honour at both the Frankfurt Book Fair and the Bologna Book Fair a new opportunity lies ahead – the European Capital of Culture 2025 »We are proud of this project because it speaks of both the past and the present of the transformative power of art and culture and Europe,« said Minister of Culture Vrečko in a statement to the media She emphasised that this was one of the most significant international cultural events in Slovenia’s history European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness the reception at Hotel Perla was attended by the Head of the Representation of the European Commission in Slovenia Italian Minister of Culture Allesandro Giuli Greek Deputy Minister of Culture Iason Fotilas Representative of the Polish Ministry of Culture Marta Cienkowska German Minister of State for Culture and the Media Claudia Roth State Secretary of the Slovak Ministry of Culture Mario Maruška Montenegrin Minister of Culture and Media Tamara Vujović North Macedonian Minister of Culture and Tourism Zoran Ljutkov Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Minister of Culture and Sports dr Minister of Education and Culture of the Republic of Srpska Željka Stojičić Assistant Minister of Culture of the Republic of Serbia Stanko Blagojević Albanian Ambassador to Slovenia Oljan Kanushi Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Assistant to the Minister of Civil Affairs Suvad Džafić the Director of Directorate for International Cultural Cooperation and European Affairs at the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia Juergen Boos and the Director of Franfurt Archeological Museum dr the slogan of the European Capital of Culture GO Borderless is not just about the freedom of movement within the European Union but also about the extending culture beyond borders Borderless offers a vision of a future in which culture transcends historical differences and national borders bringing people and communities together and calling for peace: »No culture exists in isolation A look through history shows that people who have migrated to a particular geographical area have always contributed to and enriched the culture of the local community.« She expressed her wish that cultural differences would become a source of inspiration rather than fear she highlighted the importance of fostering dialogue on key cultural and artistic issues at both national and international levels as both culture and art play a vital role in promoting democratic values and ideas »It’s time to start looking at culture as the heart of a democratic society« ask for a reply The 2025 edition of BIEN - Biennial of Textile Art will host the exhibition Capturing the Storm by Eta Sadar Breznik (Ljubljana curated by Lovro Ivančić and exhibited at the Rotunda of the Slovenian National Theater in Nova Gorica Awarded the bronze medal at the Beauvais International Tapestry Festival in 1996 and recognized with the Prešeren Fund Prize in 1998 Breznik presents her suspended textile works on this occasion The artist narrates the concept of the suspended moment which she has been skillfully transforming through weaving into a distinctive visual language for decades.His hand-woven works reflect the time it takes for the countless threads of warp and weft woven on the loom to assume their final form The harmony of colors and forms returns compositions of accentuated atmospheric identity whose goal is to draw the viewer in and lead them into a fantasy world of imagery Eta Sadar Breznik gives textiles a primary value more oriented to the viewer’s experience who brings together more than 75 of the artist’s textile works interprets her works as primal expressions “They hover in the air the golden sway in the wind of blooming rape fields everything we can imagine from our existential condition,” reads his commentary accompanying the exhibition Eta Sadar Breznik manages to masterfully transpose all these elements into a unique work capable of imposing itself in the exhibition space creating an atmospheric effect that envelops the viewer will be held in the Slovenian cities of Kranj With its Textile Art and Design and Land art programs BIEN occurs biennially with exhibitions and collateral activities that gravitate toward thinking about heritage geological and archaeological properties of space industrial culture and traditional knowledge by going on to shape new contemporary expressions It promotes interdisciplinary contaminations in art with projects and art residencies presents the works of Slovenian and international artists enhancing in particular the most successful creations in the student scene leveraging not least the awareness that the future of art is also to be found in the public and digital dimensions BIEN is a biennial articulated in exhibitions looks at research in the field of textile culture and art a non-governmental cultural organization in Kranj that coordinates the organization of the Biennial of Textile Art in concert with the Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering of the University of Ljubljana with the Faculty of Design as an autonomous university institute and numerous other partners It creates a link between Upper Carniola and Goriziano growing from edition to edition as an artistic event of regional resonance He graduated with a degree in architecture in Ljubljana after which he decided to devote himself entirely to creation later specializing at the Academy of Fine Arts in Łódź (Poland) Since 1978 his works have recurred in numerous solo and group exhibitions of textile art set up in Europe included among others in many public collections as well as in specialized reviews on developments in the world panorama of textile art Researchers at the Graphene Flagship Associated Member University of Nova Gorica (Slovenia) are doing exciting research on organic matter physics. For example, they observed that charge carriers, once confined to two dimensions, can play funny tricks: Solution-cast thin films of Ti3C2 MXene flakes demonstrated surprisingly high charge carrier mobility comparable to that measured in a single Ti3C2 flake "These and similar phenomena bring excitement to our everyday graphene research at the University of Nova Gorica We aim to transfer our knowledge to future generations," says Egon Pavlica of the University of Nova Gorica Conference registration and attendance are free of charge. top-quality wineries or hiking routes backdropped by majestic mountains this Slovenian region makes for an ideal road trip The Vipava Valley stretches across the southwest corner of Slovenia sandwiched between the lush Trnovo Forest Plateau and the rocky plateau of the Karst region It’s blessed with good soil and a perfect climate for winemaking with a patchwork of vineyards studded with small historic towns and castles all of which are endlessly rewarding places to explore and while away time For those who prefer something a bit more active the region’s surrounding mountains are crisscrossed by superb hiking trails for all capabilities passing through numerous mountains (some of which are roughly 1000m high) There’s a reason locals nickname it Paradise Valley — boutique it’s all that’s best about Slovenia (and there’s an awful lot to like) distilled into one place The central premise of Nova Gorica’s Capital of Culture bid was the vision of a cross-border city with Nova Gorica and Gorizia in Italy united by their shared history despite their separation by political boundaries admiring postwar architecture and dipping into one of the charming bars and restaurants for dinner or to sample the region’s much-loved wine head down the Vipava Valley and base yourself either in the town of Ajdovščina or the tiny village of Vipavski Križ a cluster of stone houses wrapped within medieval walls One of the best things about the Vipava Valley is just how easy it is to combine the best outdoor activities — be it hiking rock climbing or paragliding — with enjoying great food The classic route to Nanos has two variants — one easy involving some scrambling with the aid of fixed steel cables and a good head for heights housed in a beautifully restored 17th-century hilltop mansion with head chef Tomaž Kavčič creating a succession of inventive dishes that have a playful in an atmosphere that remains wonderfully warm and relaxed home to an outstanding collection of works by Veno Pilon the greatest Slovenian artist of the 20th century To find out more, visit vipavskadolina.si  Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media: