The choral concert by the group VOCES8 will be held on the evening of Friday 20 June 2025, starting at 8 p.m., as part of the Beyond Walk of Peace: from Crossborder Historical Research and Cultural Heritage to European Trail and Stories project. The British vocal group, after numerous performances in the world's most prestigious venues, such as Wigmore Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Philharmonie Berlin, Cité de la Musique Paris, Konzerthaus Vienna, Tokyo Opera City, NCPA Beijing, Sydney Opera House and many others, will perform a concert in the ancient Basilica on Mount Sveta Gora (Monte Santo).

The group, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this season, will bring to Sveta Gora (Monte Santo) its rich repertoire ranging from the Renaissance to the present day, including classical and non-classical composers from all over the world, mixed with jazz and pop, with a vocal virtuosity that never fails to enchant the audience at every performance. Versatility and an interest in different musical expressions are the characteristics of this extraordinary octet, formed in 2003 by a group of former Westminster Abbey singers specialising in a cappella singing, but who also collaborate with internationally renowned orchestras and soloists. The event is part of a tour of over 100 dates all over the world, including a special birthday concert at the Barbican in London.

The concert is the first of three major cross-border cultural events of the BeWoP project and will be followed by a historical event at the end of September 2025 and a second musical event in 2026. BeWoP is funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the Programme Interreg VI A ITA-SLO 2021-2027. The project partners include the lead partner Fundacija Poti miru v Posočju, GECT GO, ZRC SAZU, PromoTurismoFVG, the Municipality of Miren Kostanjevica and the èStoria Association.

In 2014, èStoria organised a commemorative concert for peace at the Basilica of Monte Santo, performed by the violinist Uto Ughi, in the presence of over 1,000 people. The event was extremely moving and a great success’ recalls Adriano Ossola, president of the association, “and we are happy to be able to repeat this year, such an important year for Nova Gorica and Gorizia, a musical event of this level and in this location so rich in history”.

Access will be free of charge until all available places are taken. For those who wish to take advantage of this, there will be a shuttle service from Gorizia/Nova Gorica to the event location and back. More info will be available closer to the event. On the same day, Fundacija Poti miru v Posočju will organise a guided tour of the First World War Tunnel under Sveta Gora (Monte Santo).

More info on the èStoria website http://www.estoria.it/

Photo credit: Andy Staples