WITH THE CAPITAL OF CULTURE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH FOR OUR CITY

It was a tough challenge, really. Because becoming the European Capital of Culture is not a game, you have to present a strong proposal, capable of convincing an international jury. We beat very strong opponents like Ljubljana and Piran and we succeeded thanks to the uniqueness of our territory, our border. Neither Gorizia nor Nova Gorica, alone, for different reasons, could have done it.
But what will happen now? Now there are many projects to develop, in the territory, that will contribute to relaunching the economy and employment, a bit like what happened in Matera. There will be investments and new opportunities for growth. It is a great opportunity and I want to thank all the people of Gorizia, those who supported me in this challenge but also those who did not believe in it. It is a victory of the city and for the city, an important step for the future of our young people and I want to experience this victory together with the people and with the people travel the road that will take us to 2025. In such a difficult moment this victory represents a ray of sunshine that illuminates our city. And this evening a strong hug...European!

Rodolfo Ziberna
Mayor of Gorizia