Nova Gorica – With an artistic spectacle in Nova Gorica, this year’s first cross-border European Capital of Culture (ECOC), connecting Slovenian Nova Gorica and Italian Gorizia, officially began on Saturday, the Slovenian cultural holiday. The artistic performances were woven around the 1990 Eurovision winner Insieme (Together) by Toto Cutugno and the Soča River as the scene of bloody battles in the First World War, which should never repeat.

“Never again,” wished the Prime Minister Robert Golob in his address during the evening part of the event. “If we managed to make these important steps, which are before us today, then everyone can, and we can be proud today because we are a model for the whole of Europe,” he said.

“As culture will connect two cities into one, so will culture and the idea of Europe connect many nations into one European family. Two cities, one town, many nations, one Europe. Let’s go, Gorizia!” he emphasized, wishing both cities, which have chosen “Let’s go! Without borders” as the central ECOC slogan, a successful year.

The nearly 14-hour program titled From Station to Station was watched by around 50,000 people. It started on Saturday morning and involved more than 2,000 performers, mainly young people from both countries, as well as representatives of minorities.

The ECOC was officially opened in the afternoon at the renovated Europe Square, where the border once separated Italy and Slovenia. The importance of cooperation was highlighted in their speeches by the presidents of both countries, Nataša Pirc Musar and Sergio Mattarella.

“It is moving that on Prešeren Day, the Slovenian cultural holiday, at Europe Square, where we became part of the European family more than 20 years ago, together with our neighbors, friends from Italy, we solemnly open the European Capital of Culture, which for the first time in its history connects two cities, two countries, two nations,” highlighted Pirc Musar.

“In a world marked by increasing tensions and conflicts and the abandonment of cooperation as a foundation of international life, Slovenia and Italy have shown that choosing the path of cooperation is possible,” said Mattarella. He stated that culture knows no borders and is open to learning, joint exploration, and mutual enrichment.

The presidents met earlier in Vipolže in Goriška Brda, and Mattarella awarded Pirc Musar the highest Italian state decoration.

In addition to Nova Gorica-Gorizia, the German city of Chemnitz also holds the title of ECOC this year. (February 8)