The parade will feature 18 groups from Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Slovenia and our region Friuli Venezia Giulia, highlighting the cross-border and multicultural nature of Carnival. Each group will bring its own artistic and cultural contribution, with elaborate costumes, spectacular choreography and musical performances reflecting the traditions of their respective countries.
A distinctive element will be the presence of Guggenmusik, a musical style that originated in Basel, Switzerland, in the second half of the 20th century. Originally developed for the carnival period, Guggenmusik is characterized by deliberately crude and dissonant arrangements, based on recognizable melodies but transposed to wrong musical scales. Initially composed of simple marching bands, this tradition has evolved its repertoire over the years to include folk music tunes, marches, and waltzes, until it has become a growing musical phenomenon even in Germany, Austria, and Liechtenstein.
Guggenmusik represents not only a unique sound experience, but also a symbol of the Carnival spirit: energy, creativity and a desire to break with convention. Its presence at European Carnival 2025 will add a note of originality and help create a festive and engaging atmosphere for all participants.
In Gorizia, more than 550 people are expected to parade through the streets of the city center.

On Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, the parade will be in Trieste, while on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, the parade will celebrate Nova Gorica and Gorizia Capital of European Culture 2025.
On Saturday 22 at 12 noon, representatives of the groups will be welcomed by the mayors of the cities of Gorica and Nova Gorica and the president of the Venezia Giulia Chamber of Commerce.
At 3 p.m., the parade will start from Victory Square, passing through the main streets of the historic center of Gorizia in a circular route of about 1.8 km that will end always in Victory Square with the music of the bands taking part in the event.
A maxi tent will be set up in Victory Square where, thanks to the intervention of the National Alpine Association, the more than 550 participants in the parade will be able to make short stops and eat a hot meal.

“The Chamber of Commerce Venezia Giulia,” said President Antonio Paoletti, ”is promoting various initiatives as part of Go!2025, and the European Carnival is one of them. These days will be filled with joy, engaging families and young people, with tourists and enthusiasts arriving from all parts of the region and beyond. The bands will parade to play and celebrate with audiences in the cities where they perform. We expect over 570 musicians in Gorizia, with a scheduled stop in Nova Gorica.” “Everything is ready for a weekend full of music and fun,” emphasized Mayor Rodolfo Ziberna. “Hundreds of people are expected to arrive, eager to celebrate and spread joy and music throughout our community. It will be a wonderful opportunity to visit the city.”

The program includes a part in Trieste on Friday, Feb. 21: The day will begin with the official reception of the groups' representatives at the Chamber of Commerce Venezia Giulia, in Piazza della Borsa, at 11 a.m., followed by greetings from the chamber president, Antonio Paoletti, and from Giorgio Rossi, councillor for Culture and Tourism Policies of the City of Trieste. In the afternoon, at 2:30 p.m., the parade will start along an evocative route: from Piazza Oberdan and then Via Carducci, Via Imbriani, Corso Italia, Piazza della Borsa and arrival in Piazza Unità. Here, all groups will be welcomed and perform in the traditional Monsterkonzert, with popular songs.

The second part, in Gorizia, is instead scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 22, when, at 12 p.m., representatives of the groups will be welcomed by the president of the Venezia Giulia Chamber of Commerce, Antonio Paoletti, and the mayor of Gorizia, Rodolfo Ziberna, in the Ritter Room of the Chamber of Commerce. This will be followed at 1:30 p.m. by a welcome snack in the large tent in Victory Square.

At 3 p.m., the parade will start from Victory Square, passing through the main streets of Gorizia's historic center in a circular route of about 1.8 km. Route: piazza della Vittoria, via Roma, via Alcide De Gasperi, piazza del Municipio, via Nazario Sauro, viale XXIV Maggio, corso Italia, corso Verdi, via Oberdan and piazza della Vittoria. The day will end with a convivial dinner made with the involvement of the hotel school Ad Formandum at 7 p.m. in the tent in Victory Square, accompanied by festivities.