The visit forms part of a broader framework of cooperation and exchange, aimed at sharing best practices, organisational models and strategic visions developed during the process that led Gorizia and Nova Gorica to jointly secure the title for 2025, the first example of a cross-border European Capital of Culture.

During the official meeting at Skopje City Hall and subsequently at the opening session of the technical workshop – aimed at cultural practitioners in North Macedonia and held at Europe House – Mayor Rodolfo Ziberna emphasised the strategic value of the ECoC project as a tool for urban, cultural and social transformation.

“The journey towards becoming the European Capital of Culture is not merely a destination, but a profound process of growth and awareness for a community,” he stated. “In the case of Gorizia and Nova Gorica, we have transformed a border that for decades represented a division into a point of encounter and cooperation. This is the true European legacy that we wish to share with Skopje today.”

Mayor Ziberna also highlighted how the title represents a tangible opportunity to strengthen the sense of European belonging and to promote cultures, their distinctive authenticity and local excellence within an open and inclusive framework: ‘The experience of Gorizia and Nova Gorica, through the projects carried out under the slogan “GO! Borderless 2025”, demonstrates that culture can become an extraordinary lever for overcoming barriers, building dialogue and generating sustainable development. We wish Skopje every success in embarking on this journey with ambition, fully involving citizens, institutions and cultural organisations.’

The day continued with technical workshop sessions between the delegations – comprising leaders and members of the organising committees for the ECoC 2025 projects – and the Skopje 2028 organising team, and will conclude with the opening of the ‘INSPIRATION’ photography exhibition at the City Museum. The exhibition, open to the public until 26 April, uses images from the 2025 European Capitals of Culture to illustrate the transformative power of culture as a driver of urban development, dialogue and the building of a shared European identity.

The visit marks a further step towards strengthening relations between the European cities involved in the ECoC programme and confirms the active role played by Gorizia, Nova Gorica and Chemnitz – and, more broadly, by the countries of the European Union – in promoting the values of cooperation, dialogue and European integration.