We are less than 100 days away from the official launch of the European Capital of Culture 2025 Nova Gorica - Gorizia, perhaps the most challenging in the eight years of planning and preparation so far. Work is now in full swing, with both cities busily preparing to host many culture and art lovers from home and abroad. The venues are being completed and the official programme of this remarkable project has been unveiled.
The four strands of GO! 2025
The strands are firmly anchored in the concept of the programme.
The first strand is entitled WAR AND PEACE - when culture is tackled on the Slovenian-Italian border, where both world wars were fought with all the ferocity of the 20th century, they are aware of this.
The second strand is entitled CREATION OF THE NEW - when, after the end of the Second World War, the Yugoslav regime had to build a new town east of the Soca River.
The third strand is called SMUGGLERS - when they deal with the cross-border transfer of knowledge, people, customs and culture.
The fourth strand is entitled GREEN - the European Capital of Culture owes both the emerald green colour of its overall image and its geostrategic localisation to the Soca River.
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The programme was presented by Stojan Pelko, Mija Lorbek and Neda Rusjan Bric (right). Photo: Jernej Humar
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The Ministry of Culture has supported two key investments: the construction of the external auditorium of the SNG Nova Gorica, which will open next year and will be used for both local and national events, and the renovation of Villa Rafut, which, according to Minister Asta Vrečko, is a unique monument of neo-Islamic architecture. Photo: Jernej Humar
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Neda Rusjan Bric, the initiator and leader of the candidature, co-author of the application book, today the artistic advisor of GO! 2025 and the director of the opening ceremony, presented the opening spectacle in Nova Gorica and Gorizia on 8 February 2025, the Slovenian cultural holiday. Photo: Jernej Humar
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When, after the end of World War II, the Yugoslav regime had to build a new city east of the Soča River, as Gorizia remained in Italy as the administrative centre, the task was entrusted to Le Corbusier's student, Edvard Ravnikar. Photo: Jernej Humar
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Walking the Peace Trail to commemorate the battlefields of World War I and exhibiting the fragile drawings that Zoran Mušič brought back from the Dachau concentration camp. Photo: Jernej Humar
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Psychiatric revolutionary Franco Basaglia is best known for his advocacy of the abolition of psychiatric hospitals. In doing so, he gave people back their humanity. According to the ECC project website, he stressed the importance of history and the social equality of patients. Photo: Jernej Humar
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The botanical art project Atlas of Forgotten Orchards aims to re-popularise forgotten varieties in our cultural space. Photo: Jernej Humar
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World-renowned fashion designer Matea Benedetti is putting on a sustainable fashion show for GO! 2025. Photo: Jernej Humar
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Mattia Cason, anthropologist, dancer, actor and director of Along the Routes of Europe. Photo: Jernej Humar
A borderless cultural journey
The journey is inspired by the cross-border relationship between the two cities. It is a historical uniqueness, a recognition, a symbol of European values and the belief that culture is a force that moves and builds. In the field of infrastructure, more than 90% of the planned projects have been realised, with a total cross-border value of more than €200 million. This will give the programme content its own production facilities.
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Dr Kaja Širok, expert in history, museology and heritage studies. Photo: Jernej Humar
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International contemporary dance ensemble MN Dance Company. Photo: Jernej Humar
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With the Green Spots and Movement project, we are creating a new green map of the green area. Photo: Jernej Humar
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Dinner as an artistic experience brings a unique experience for lovers of art, history and gastronomy. Photo: Jernej Humar
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Award-winning New York director Tomi Janežič works throughout Europe and has been a guest at numerous international festivals. Photo: Jernej Humar
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The international cross-border contemporary dance festival Visavi is directed by Artistic Director Walter Mramor. Photo: Jernej Humar
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Marko Peljhan is one of the leading Slovenian and international researchers and authors in transdisciplinary arts. Photo: Jernej Humar
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The mission of the European Capital of Culture GO! 2025 is to transcend borders, both physical and mental, as reflected in the slogan GO! Borderless. Photo: Jernej Humar
GO! Borderless
The slogan Go! Borderless symbolises an example of cross-border cooperation, which is most evident in the organisational and cultural spheres, as creators are more intertwined across borders than at any other time in history. The rich creativity of the landscape is also demonstrated by the accompanying programme, for which a special brand GO! 2025 and friends has been developed. This ranges from concerts by international music stars and artists in Italian to amateur culture on the Slovenian map.
Date: 21. November 2024
Time to read: 5 min
