The significance of February 8th, 2025, lies not just in marking the official start date but also in its alignment with Slovenia’s National Culture Day, commemorating the revered poet France Prešeren, and the birth anniversary of Giuseppe Ungaretti, a luminary in Italian literature.

Romina Kocina, director of GECT GO, the European Group of Territorial Cooperation driving this cultural convergence, emphasizes the mission to build a cross-border metropolis. This endeavor aims to attract a diverse audience keen on experiencing a blend of cultures, languages, and historical legacies.

Starting at 10 am, the iconic Transalpina Square/Trg Evrope will witness the launch, symbolizing the harmonious coexistence between Italy and Slovenia. Guided tours aboard #borderless buses will follow, offering insights into the rich heritage of both regions. Stops include historical landmarks like Coronini Cronberg Park and the Monastery of Castagnevizza, providing a glimpse into the shared history of the two cities.

Meanwhile, Nova Gorica will celebrate its National Culture Day with a poetic recital in Bevkov Trg and a mesmerizing dance performance by the MN Dance Company at Xcenter, Krilo Rusjan, offering a sneak peek into the official GO! 2025 program.

In Gorizia, the Kinemax will host a thought-provoking discussion titled “GO! Borderless: Youth, Borders, and the Power of Communication.” Renowned journalists and academics will engage with students from local schools, delving into the role of communication in bridging diverse communities.

The event will culminate with readings from the works of Giuseppe Ungaretti and France Prešeren, underscoring the cultural tapestry woven by these two influential figures.

With a plethora of activities lined up throughout the day, from readings and workshops to film screenings, the enthusiasm for GO! 2025 is palpable.

In 2025, they are preparing more than 400 events from the official programme and at least once as many supporting events. The opening ceremony alone will feature more than 100 performers and more than 100 authors. In the recently-published Guide to the Official Programme, that you can find here, you can learn more about the outlines of the official programme for 2025.

There will be so much going on that events will not only take place in museums, concert halls and theatres, but mostly outside and often in places you would at least expect. Nova Gorica Railway Station will be transformed into a spa hotel, where you will be able to enjoy in Gioachino Rossini’s opera Il Viaggio a Reims, virtuoso pianist Alexander Gadijev will captivate you with his melodies under Solkan Bridge, the nearby Solkan Quarry will serve as a dancing stage for the incredible MN Dance Company dancers, while theatre enthusiasts will be mesmerised by Tomi Janežič’s dodecalogy.