The countdown to 2025 is on as Nova Gorica, Slovenia's youngest city, and its neighbouring counterpart Gorizia, a unique fusion of two interconnected cities, prepare to light up the European and global cultural stage as the cross-border European Capital of Culture. At the same time, Slovenia will step into the spotlight, showcasing its rich culture, world-class art, vibrant creativity and unique heritage to a global audience.
Two cities, countless borderless stories of culture, art, creativity and vision
In order to attract more people to the towns, several highlights are planned throughout the year. Culinary, music, art and sports enthusiasts will be catered for, and events will take place throughout the year. In total, there will be more than 400 events.
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It will be the first time in history that two cities from two countries will make up the European Capital of Culture. Photo: Jurij Paljk/slovenia.info
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The highlight that will bring sports enthusiasts together is the March for Europe, which will take place from 1 to 9 May. It will turn the once difficult crossing of national borders into an art form, with a simultaneous march through European cities, and will be joined by sporting ways of crossing borders. Photo: Ernad Ihtijarevič/slovenia.info
Culture at the heart of European cities
The European Capital of Culture, an initiative of the European Union, places culture at the heart of European cities, celebrating the arts and culture of selected destinations throughout the year.
In 2025, the German city of Chemnitz will join Nova Gorica and Gorizia in holding this prestigious title.
It is worth noting that Nova Gorica is not the first Slovenian city to receive this esteemed recognition. In 2012, Maribor was honoured as the European Capital of Culture.
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Culinary enthusiasts will be in for a treat from 26-28 September, when the organisers are organising the Tastes Without Borders festival, the largest gastronomic festival in the region, which will be extended to both sides of the border for the first time in history. Photo: Alex Štokelj/slovenia.info
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The closing ceremony from 1 to 5 December 2025 will also be particularly festive, when the two cities will close the ECOC project with light installations and accompanying concerts. Photo: Ernad Ihtijarevič/slovenia.info
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The organisers will symbolically light up a new cooperation - the joint festive decoration of the two Gorizia cities from 2025 onwards. Photo: Alan Kosmač/slovenia.info
Borderless Neighbourhood of Creativity
This year, and especially next year, the history, stories, personalities, past, present and future achievements of creativity, integration and art of the two Goricas will be presented to Slovenia, Italy, Europe and the world this year through the vision and programme
GO!2025 = BORDERLESS.
The uniqueness of a European Capital of Culture being made up of two cities is illustrated by the history of the two Goricas. Nova Gorica, the youngest city in Slovenia, has deep historical and everyday links with Gorizia on the Italian side of the border. Nestled in a landscape of fertile hills, orchards and vineyards of the Brda and Vipava valleys, where the emerald green Soča River meanders from the heart of the Alps and where the mysterious Karst and the sea are just a glance away, a town with a vibrant identity has flourished since the end of World War II.
Date: 24. October 2024
