12/17/2024
Yesterday, 16 December 2024, the ECoC Expert Panel published its latest report, expressing great enthusiasm for GO! 2025.
Yesterday, 16 December 2024, the European Commission published the third and final report by the ECoC Expert Panel that monitors the cities' progress in preparations for the year of European Capital of Culture. The jury's assessment was very positive, impressed by Nova Gorica's development, the GO! 2025 project and its programme that appeals to a broader audience and strikes a good balance between the European and the local. The third report will be the basis for the Melina Mercouri financial award of €1.5 million in March 2025.
The ECoC Expert Panel, appointed by the European Commission, praised the maintenance of the central theme of "Overcoming borders to create unity and common cultural identity", the strong commitment to European values and the determination and persistence while facing the challenges of crossing borders. The programme was also praised for its thoughtful balance between the European and the local. The programme was described as "having a great potential for significant cultural impact, not only in Nova Gorica and Gorizia, but also in the wider European community, due to its appeal to a broader audience".
"Such positive feedback from the ECoC Expert Panel, which awards the title, is the most important international recognition for the work done in the preparations for the European Capital of Culture. Their valuable advice will help us achieve our long-term goals in such a large project, which will give a lot to our citizens even after 2025 and will maintain the connection between the local and the international," said Mija Lorbek, CEO of GO! 2025. She emphasized that Nova Gorica will use the Melina Mercouri Award throughout the entire year, mainly for ECoC events with a higher number of visitors, which are part of the Stop the City! campaign, and for the main ECoC heritage events, i.e. those that are expected to continue beyond 2025.
