Photo: Jernej Humar 

MEPs Discover the Impact of the Cross-Border European Capital of Culture

A delegation of three Members of the European Parliament from the Committee on Culture and Education visited Nova Gorica and Gorizia in the past few days.

During their two-day visit, the Members of the European Parliament listened to experts and local stakeholders from the fields of art, literature, film, music, dance, gastronomy, science, and theatre to learn more about how the two cities, divided for decades, are now coming together and setting an example for Europe.

The MEPs met with Slovenian and Italian artists, visited cultural institutions including the EPICenter and Kinoatelje, and explored the region’s past through the “Šverc Tour.” (Smuggling tour).

During the visit, the delegation also met with political representatives from both countries, including Marko Rusjan, State Secretary at the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia, and Patrizia Artico, councillor for GO! 2025 at the Gorizia Municipality. They also learned more about cross-border cooperation at an event, attended among others by EGTC GO director Romina Kocina.

At the end of the visit, delegation leader Hannes Heide (S&D, Austria) said:

“Nova Gorica and Gorizia demonstrate that the values which unite us run much deeper than our divisions. The European Capital of Culture 2025 reminds us that regional, national, and European identities can coexist and together build a truly European society for future generations. Its legacy will resonate far beyond 2025, as these two cities are a laboratory for the future of Europe — a future in which people cooperate across borders, live together, and create together.”

The visit was attended by Hannes HEIDE (S&D, Austria) – Head of Delegation, Manuela RIPA (EPP, Germany), Joanna SCHEURING-WIELGUS (S&D, Poland) and Matjaž NEMEC (S&D, Slovenia) as accompanying member.