Representatives of Nova Gorica, Gorizia, and Chemnitz, three cities whose European Capital of Culture projects have left a strong mark on the European landscape, took part yesterday in a series of events in Skopje aimed at sharing experiences and supporting Skopje, which will hold the title of European Capital of Culture in 2028.

The visit began with a reception hosted by the Mayor of Skopje, Orce Gjorgjievski, during which the hosts emphasized that for the city and the Skopje 2028 ECoC team, the presence of representatives from successfully implemented European Capitals of Culture is extremely important, as it sends a strong message of support. The mayor of Skopje expressed gratitude for the sharing of experience and highlighted that Skopje is a multicultural city where Macedonians, Albanians, Roma, and Serbs live side by side. The experiences of Nova Gorica, Gorizia, and Chemnitz will be valuable in finding ways toward greater coexistence, citizen involvement, and the successful implementation of the project.

At the meeting, the Mayor of Nova Gorica, Samo Turel, stressed that it is a great honor for Nova Gorica to pass on its experience to Skopje together with partners from Gorizia and Chemnitz. He emphasized that the European Capital of Culture is not merely a one-year project, but a long-term process involving the preparation of the bid, the shaping of a vision, the implementation of the program, and above all reflection on what will remain for the city after the project ends.

“We came to Skopje to offer help and our experience in organizing and implementing the European Capital of Culture, as Skopje will hold this title in 2028. The European Capital of Culture is a project and a process that can transform a city, change citizens’ perceptions of what a city and culture are, bring people together, create new development opportunities, economic progress, and tourism, and above all empower cultural creators while revealing the identity of the city and its inhabitants to domestic and international audiences,” Turel said.

He added that the main advice for Skopje is to begin preparations as soon as possible in both infrastructure and programming, and to bring culture among the people, into the streets, and into everyday city life.

An important focus of the meeting with the Mayor of Skopje was also the project’s legacy. The Mayor of Gorizia, Rodolfo Ziberna, emphasized that the ECoC should not be understood merely as one year of intensive programming, but as a long-term development opportunity. According to him, the two Gorizias showed the world through the European Capital of Culture that it is possible, even in an area marked by historical divisions, to build a future of cooperation, dialogue, and overcoming borders. He particularly highlighted the symbolic significance of Europe Square / Trg Evrope as a place that speaks of history while opening a view toward a shared future.

Chemnitz representative Josephine Hage emphasized that the European Capital of Culture project also brought their city new visibility, increased tourism, and encouraged the renewal of degraded urban areas. She told Skopje to persevere despite inevitable difficulties, trust in its own people, volunteerism, and social capital, and understand the ECoC as an opportunity for the city’s long-term transformation.

Support for Skopje 2028 was also expressed by the Italian and Slovenian ambassadors in Skopje. Slovenian Ambassador Gregor Presker emphasized that the presence of Nova Gorica, Gorizia, and Chemnitz in Skopje is important for the entire region and assured continued help in building bridges of cooperation, overcoming challenges, and contributing to the success story of Skopje 2028. Italian Ambassador Paolo Palminteri also expressed support for the project.

The reception was followed by a press conference at the Europe House in Skopje with the Mayor of Skopje, during which representatives of Nova Gorica, Gorizia, and Chemnitz presented the key challenges of preparing and implementing the European Capital of Culture project, highlighting the importance of timely planning, citizen involvement, international cooperation, and consideration of the project’s long-term developmental effects.

During a round-table discussion with the Skopje 2028 ECoC team, GO! 2025 Director Mija Lorbek and EGTC GO Director Romina Kocina, together with their colleagues, presented the GO! 2025 project, its concept, implementation priorities, and above all the importance of the project’s legacy for the further development of Nova Gorica and Gorizia. Particular attention was devoted to the question of how the European Capital of Culture can go beyond the framework of a cultural programme and become a lever for long-term changes in cooperation, identity, tourism, and the urban development of both cities.

The events in Skopje concluded with the opening of an exhibition on the European Capital of Culture 2025 Nova Gorica–Gorizia and Chemnitz at the Museum of the City of Skopje entitled Inspirations. The exhibition brings visitors closer to the moments, messages, and developmental impacts of the projects that marked Nova Gorica, Gorizia, and Chemnitz, while at the same time offering inspiration to Skopje on its road toward 2028.

Works by photographers from Nova Gorica, Gorizia (Jernej Humar and Pierluigi Bumbaca), and Chemnitz, displayed in the centre of Skopje, present the highlights of 2025 and give visitors a sense of the atmosphere, coexistence, and international dimension of the European Capital of Culture. The photographs are not merely witnesses to events, but also reminders that culture initiates change, opens dialogue, and builds a sense of belonging.

In the presence of North Macedonia’s Minister of Culture and Tourism Zoran Ljutkov, North Macedonia’s Minister for European Affairs Bekim Sali, the Mayor of Skopje Orce Gjorgjievski, the Slovenian and Italian ambassadors, the German ambassador to Skopje, as well as other ambassadors and numerous representatives of Skopje’s social and cultural life, the mayors of both Gorizias also addressed the audience at the opening of the exhibition.

In his speech, the Mayor of Nova Gorica, Samo Turel, emphasized: “In our area, this experience was particularly powerful because it is a cross-border space. Nova Gorica and Gorizia are cities with a complex history, but also with an extraordinary ability to create a shared future from that history. That is precisely why the European Capital of Culture was much more than a cultural project for us. It was confirmation that culture can connect where borders once divided. That it can build trust and closeness between people. I sincerely wish great success to the European Capital of Culture Skopje 2028 team.”

The Mayor of the Municipality of Gorizia, Rodolfo Ziberna, added: “The European Capital of Culture Nova Gorica–Gorizia 2025, through its borderless spirit and its ability to connect despite a painful past, has become an example for Europe. Especially in times like these, when wars rage around the world and uncertainty is widespread. Through cooperation and connection, with the help of culture, we have succeeded in overcoming many obstacles. We are pleased to share our experience with Skopje and to express our support for ECoC Skopje 2028.”