In August 2025, two deeply moving cultural events enriched the evocative setting of the Church of San Valentino on Monte Sabotino – a place charged with symbolic significance and shared historical memory. The ruins of the church, located at 600 meters above sea level and accessible only on foot, created a unique atmosphere that made each moment experienced even more profound and meaningful. 

August 9th  – Songs of War, Work, and Love 

The first event, held on August 9th , was a sonic journey through the history and emotions of popular tradition. The musical project “Songs of War, Work, and Love”, conceived and performed by Silvia Tarozzi and Deborah Walker, presented a contemporary reinterpretation of northern Italian folk songs. The repertoire spans from the early 20th century to World War II. The event is part of the project “Art Against the Rifle” – Official Program of the European Capital of Culture GO! 2025. The two artists were joined by the Slovenian vocal quartet Slovena Voices, under the artistic direction of Zvezdana Novaković ZveN. Together, they intertwined different voices and languages in a powerful artistic statement of peace, solidarity, and humanity. The female dimension plays a central role in this work, as women during wartime—and beyond—often performed hard physical labor, replaced men, and at the same time preserved cultural heritage and collective memory through song. 

August 26th  – Allow Yourself, a concert by Luca Ciut 

The second event took place on August 26th  with a concert titled “Allow Yourself” by composer and pianist Luca Ciut. Known for his film scores nominated for David di Donatello and European Film Awards, Ciut’s style blends cinematic composition, sound research, and contemporary sensitivity, leading the audience on a journey of introspection and beauty. The piano notes, immersed in the meaningful silence of Monte Sabotino, evoked deep emotions in a place “where time stands still and history breathes.” 

The events were co-organized by GECT GO/EZTS GO within the project “Beyond Walk of Peace: from Crossborder Historical Research and Cultural Heritage to European Trail and Stories” (BeWoP), co-financed by the Interreg Italy-Slovenia program, in collaboration with the Peace Path Foundation, ZRC SAZU, PromoTurismo FVG, the Municipality of Miren-Kostanjevica, and the èStoria Association.