European Capital of Culture Nova Gorica – Gorica once again a role model abroad, but its potential remains untapped in the local community

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the network ECoC Family, a professional meeting for knowledge transfer was held in Evora, Portugal, which will hold this prestige title next year. Leading experts in this field were invited to the panel on the most important topic for evaluating European Capitals of Culture, the “European dimension”, the world-renowned expert on mega events Dr. Beatriz Garcia Phd expert on European cultural policies Elsa Christensen-Redzepovic, and the director of the GO! 2025 Institute, Mija Lorbek, MSc »This is additional recognition that the professionals also recognise the success of this process in Nova Gorica and Gorizia and want to learn from its example,« emphasized Mija Lorbek.

Understanding the European dimension is the key process of transforming a city into a national center of culture. Special emphasis was also placed on the understanding of the European dimension at the local level, which, according to Mija Lorbek, is a challenge in small towns, which we are also witnessing in Nova Gorica. She presented a concrete example to the international professionals of how the GO! 2025 project, which has received international recognition and resonates far beyond its borders, but in Nova Gorica, despite record investments, still lacks political support, vision and ambition to fully exploit the potential of good implementation of this prestigious project. She also gave a good example of understanding the legacy in neighboring Gorizia, where cultural programs are continued not only by institutions but also by the entire economy.” “The European Capital of Culture Nova Gorica – Gorizia is one of the best examples of implementing the European dimension and thus a model for future capitals,” concluded Dr. Vuk Radulović, also international relations expert with Novi Sad 2022.