Nova Gorica-Gorizia: MEPs witness the impact of a cross-border European Capital of Culture

A delegation of three MEPs from the Committee on Culture and Education visited the cities of Nova Gorica (Slovenia) and Gorizia (Italy).

GO!2025 Nova Gorica-Gorizia is the first ever European Capital of Culture (ECoC) to be shared between two cities and countries. During a two-day visit to the cities, MEPs heard from experts and local actors in the fields of art, literature, cinema, music, dance, the food sector, science and theatre to learn more about two cities - divided by history over decades - coming together to serve as a European role model.

During the visit, MEPs met Slovenian and Italian artists, visited cultural institutions including EPICentre and Kinoatelje, and explored the region’s past through a smuggling tour.

The delegation also spoke to authorities from both countries, including Marko Rusjan, State Secretary at the Ministry of Culture of Slovenia and Patrizia Artico, Councillor responsible for the European Capital of Culture in Gorizia.

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At the end of the visit, Chair of the delegation Hannes Heide (S&D, AT) said: “Nova Gorica and Gorizia are proving to us that the values that unite us are much deeper than our divisions. The 2025 Capital of Culture reminds us that regional, national and European identities can and should go hand in hand to build a real European society for future generations. Its legacy will go by far beyond 2025, as the two cities represent a laboratory for the future of Europe, where new forms of cross-border collaboration, co-existence and creativity have become a reality.”

List of participants

Hannes HEIDE (S&D, AT) - Chair of the delegation

Manuela RIPA (EPP, DE)

Joanna SCHEURING-WIELGUS (S&D, PL)

Accompanying member

Matjaž NEMEC (S&D, SL)