The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, and the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, attended the opening of Nova Gorica – Gorizia “First European Capital of Cross-Border Culture Go! 2025”. The ceremony took place in Transalpina Square, located on the border between Nova Gorica, Slovenia, and Gorizia, Italy.

The event was attended by the President of the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Massimiliano Fedriga, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Indigenous Slovenian Communities, Matej Arčon; the Ministers of Culture Asta Vrečko, for Slovenia, and Alessandro Giuli, for Italy; Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement, Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Culture. Afterwards, the Melina Mercouri Award was presented to Mija Lorbek, Director of GO! 2025. Also present were the Mayor of Gorizia, Rodolfo Ziberna, and the Mayor of Nova Gorica, Samo Turel.

At the end, the two Heads of State reached the Town Hall of Nova Gorica, where they visited the photographic exhibition: “The meeting of two rivers and two valleys”.

Upon his arrival in the morning, President Mattarella was welcomed by President Pirc Musar at Villa Vipolže. During the meeting, Mattarella presented the President of Slovenia with the OMRI decoration of Knight Grand Cross decorated with Grand Cordon.

Source: Quirinal – 08/02/2025