At today's press conference in Nova Gorica, Mija Lorbek, Director of the GO! 2025 Institute, Samo Turel, Mayor of Nova Gorica, and Rodolfo Ziberna, Mayor of Gorica, spoke about the program and significance of the title European Capital of Culture for both cities. The first highlight of the rich events will be next year on Culture Day, February 8, when the sister cities will officially become European Capitals of Culture under the slogan GO! 2025: Borderless.

Zdenko Matoz

So far, there have been more than 40 smaller events, which will continue until the end of the year. The events attract visitors of all ages from Slovenia and abroad and serve as a prelude to the highlights that will take place next year. Organizers are announcing approximately 400 events and at least as many in the accompanying program GO! 2025 and friends.

"The events already underway bring diverse activities for the audience on one hand, and on the other, they are an introduction to artistically refined programs. For 2025, we are announcing a series of spectacles that will attract the attention of the general public – sports enthusiasts, music lovers, culinary aficionados, art admirers, beautiful locations, and of course, everything connected into a comprehensive cultural experience. We are expecting around 400 events in the official program and just as many in the accompanying program. We are confident that the borderless year will not only exceed the framework of culture as perceived by the general public but also transcend geographical boundaries, representing a good practice for cooperation and collaboration between two countries," said Mija Lorbek, Director of the GO! 2025 Institute.

Official Program Guide Released

This week, the first publication reviewing the official program was released. In the form of a guide, it will be published next year, and the detailed program of the European Capital of Culture will be presented in Brussels on November 26. Organizers are announcing an interesting program and rich events, where both the general public with "Stop the City!" mass music, sports, culinary, and cultural experiences, as well as more demanding lovers of artistically refined events, will find something to enjoy.

"I am convinced that the project will attract numerous domestic and foreign visitors. As a mayor and a resident of this area, I am also very excited about everything that will remain with us after the European Capital of Culture. It is also worth noting that the EPK project has significantly increased the interest of various organizers in hosting international events here. Thus, on May 24, 2025, the 14th stage of the Giro d'Italia cycling race will finish at Trg Evrope," said Samo Turel, Mayor of Nova Gorica. His Italian colleague Rodolfo Ziberna, Mayor of Gorica, added that they have won. "We have overcome problems that others were not able to solve. By building numerous facilities as part of the EPK project, we are creating spaces where we can gather in the future for culture and sports. If you don't have a space, like a hall, you simply can't engage in sports. All this will make it much easier to organize numerous events in our cities in 2026, after the project ends. We have shown extraordinary community strength; other capitals of culture can only wish for something like this."

First Highlight on Culture Day

On Culture Day, February 8, for the first time in history, the European Capital of Culture will consist of two cities from two countries. Organizers are announcing a spectacular opening, followed by three more highlights. The first will be the Walk for Europe, taking place from May 1 to 9, 2025, with simultaneous walks in several European cities. They will remember the once difficult crossing of national borders, which some have turned into art, and will also prepare sports ways of crossing the border. The second highlight will be the gastronomic festival Tastes Without Borders, from September 26 to 28, 2025, when the largest such festival will for the first time extend to both sides of the border. On offer will be borderless beer, borderless specialties, and tastes from other European capitals of culture. The closing ceremony will take place from December 1 to 5, 2025, with exceptional light installations and accompanying concerts, concluding the European Capital of Culture project on one hand, and on the other, igniting new cooperation, which is the joint festive decoration of both Goricas from 2025 onwards.