Gorizia and Nova Gorica: the first cross-border European Capital of Culture

Two cities, two states and a program of events without borders. For the first time since 1985, the year in which the “European Capital of Culture” was founded, the title has been awarded to two cross-border cities: the Italian city of Gorizia and Nova Gorica, in Slovenian territory. A recognition that symbolizes a bond capable of crossing borders, overcoming differences and celebrating the similarities between the two countries.

Gorizia and Nova Gorica: two cities united by a border

The program of events for Gorizia and Nova Gorica, European Capital of Culture 2025, gathers hundreds of official appointments and as many collateral initiatives under the motto GO! 2025. The entire region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia will be involved in celebrating the history, music and culture of the two cross-border realities, with a great guiding thread: the border. A line that, instead of dividing, unites.

Many of the events will have a strong symbolic significance, such as the march for Europe which will take place simultaneously in both cities at the beginning of May, or the food and wine festival “Tastes without borders” scheduled for the end of September. Or again, the concert that the famous pianist Alexander Gadjiev will hold on the Solkan bridge, which connects the Slovenian and Italian banks of the river Isonzo.

Events not to be missed at GO! 2025

Art will be the protagonist in Gorizia, with a series of exhibitions not to be missed. Among these “Ungaretti, poet and soldier“, open until May 4th at the Museum of Santa Chiara in Gorizia, where Marco Goldin invited 12 contemporary artists to tell the Karst and the places of the famous writer. Goldin has also curated the exhibition “Borders. From Turner and Monet to Hopper“, scheduled for October 2025 at Villa Manin in Codroipo (Udine).

Staying in Gorizia, Palazzo Attems Petzenstein will host until May 4th the exhibition “Beyond the borders” dedicated to Andy Warhol.

Music will be another pillar of the festival, with concerts bringing internationally renowned artists to the region. Massive Attack will perform in Gorizia on June 24th, followed by Thirty Seconds to Mars on July 3rd. In Codroipo, on the other hand, Sting will take the stage on July 9th and Alanis Morissette on July 22nd.

But there will also be dance, street art, theater, conferences, food and wine and much more: to discover all the events scheduled at GO! 2025 we recommend you to consult the official website, always updated with a calendar of proposals month by month.

The GO! 2025 events in Trieste

Trieste, less than an hour from Gorizia and Nova Gorica, is a strategic point to fully experience the rich calendar of events of GO! 2025. The city will host some important events too, such as the great retrospective dedicated to Steve McCurry at the Salone degli Incanti, open until May 4th, and the only Italian date of the Robbie Williams tour scheduled for July 17th.

Contact us to arrange your stay at DoubleTree by Hilton Trieste during GO! 2025 and take advantage of an extraordinary year for culture and events.