In a historic journey of unity, Nova Gorica in Slovenia and Gorizia in Italy join forces as the first cross-border European Capitals of Culture for 2025, bridging the divisions of the past with their ‘GO! Borderless’ program.
A New Era of Unity: Nova Gorica and Gorizia Join Forces as European Capitals of Culture
The towns of Nova Gorica in Slovenia and Gorizia in Italy are about to embark on a historic journey together, serving as the first cross-border European Capitals of Culture for 2025. With the motto “GO! Borderless,” their program aims to overcome the divisions of the past and bring people closer together.
A History Shaped by Borders
The region’s turbulent history is marked by the implementation of the Paris Peace Conference in 1947, which divided the town of Gorizia and transformed lives overnight. Mauro Leban recalls how his family farm was bisected by the new border, with the farmhouse in Italy and the fields in Yugoslavia. The Lebans were among the few permitted to cross the border to tend their fields, a temporary privilege amidst strict controls.
A Region Reunited
For decades, the physical divide between Nova Gorica and Gorizia persisted, even after the fall of the Iron Curtain and Slovenia’s independence. It was finally dismantled in 2007, when Slovenia joined the Schengen Area, allowing travel without border controls across many European countries. Today, the region is home to a thriving university, historic sites like the Solkan Bridge, and the Collio – or Goriška Brda – wine-growing region.
A Poignant Reminder of Division
Near Mauro Leban’s farm, a tollgate painted in the Italian tricolour serves as a poignant reminder of the division that once defined the region. A small documentation centre offers video recordings of contemporary witnesses recounting the painful years when families were separated. These testimonies reveal the deep mistrust that grew between perceived fascists and communists during the era of separation.
A Vision of Unity
Despite ongoing challenges, including Italy’s reintroduction of border checks between Italy and Slovenia in October, the vision of unity remains strong. As Nova Gorica and Gorizia join forces as European Capitals of Culture, they are poised to inspire a new generation of Europeans to come together and celebrate their shared heritage.
