Concerts under the stars

The GONG Orchestra – the Goriški pihalni orkester expanded with Italian brass bands – is coming to the idyllic village in the middle of the Vipava Valley as part of the European Capital of Culture. On Saturday, June 7, at 8 p.m., they will conjure up a magical concert under the stars on the central square behind the village walls. Together with soloists, exceptional dancers and a fire spectacle, they are opening the season of events in Vipavski Križ. The event will be outdoors and free for visitors.

As part of the Concerts under the Stars series with the subtitle United in Culture, musicians led by conductor Sandi Cej are announcing a musically rich concert. The evening will culminate with a combined wreath of the Slovenian anthem, the Italian and Austrian anthems, and the Ode to Joy. The event will be opened in a particularly solemn manner by the anthem of the European Capital of Culture GO!2025 for wind orchestra, which was selected in a competition and set to music by Vid Bavcon. Most of the other compositions were also written specifically for this occasion, and we look forward to the fact that the internationally renowned composer Virginio Zoccatelli from Italy and numerous other distinguished guests will also honor us with their presence. In addition to the music that will weave invisible threads of connection, the concerts will also feature exceptional soloists; soprano Nejka Čuk and harpist Ester Pavlic. In the ancient ambience of the Vipava Cross, the music will be especially lit up by the delicate dance numbers of the jazz and modern dancers PRO Dance Company and the spectacular fiery performances of the KreAktiv group. Music unites "The meaning of the European Capital of Culture is to connect," says Simon Pintar, president of the GONG Orchestra. "We were delighted to be invited to the Vipava Cross, as we want the ECoC to break down the borders not only between Italy and Slovenia, but also to connect us locally. The music we play with the orchestra was written specifically for this concert, and at the same time, with soloist Nejka Čuk, we will also play some evergreens that always touch us. I am sure that in the environment where we will play, the music will sound especially magical." All concerts are free and herald a varied event as part of the European Capital of Culture GO!2025. The concerts under the stars are part of the activities of the GO(d)BA 2025 project (Cross-border Band Nova Gorica and Gorizia), which is carried out by the 

Goriški pihalni orkester and Casa delle Arti APS. The project is co-financed by the European Union from the GO! Small Project Fund. 2025 of the Interreg VI-A Italy-Slovenia 2021-2027 programme, managed by the EGTC GO.