Adnkronos Rome, 9 Feb. (Adnkronos) – Go!2025 Nova Gorica Gorizia, European Capital of Culture, yesterday welcomed the world of Pro Loco on its inaugural day. Present, at the invitation of the Municipality of Gorizia, were 17 Pro Loco from the area who, at the stands in the center (between Piazza Vittoria and the Public Gardens), offered the public typical flavors of Friuli Venezia Giulia (the initiative will continue on 9 February). A welcome that follows the great tribute made by the National Union of Pro Loco of Italy (Unpli), which wanted to dedicate its 2025 membership card to the European Capital of Culture, currently being distributed to over 600 thousand volunteers throughout the Peninsula.
“Weavings – declared the national president of Unpli Antonino La Spina, present at the inaugural day in Gorizia – that symbolize the commitment of our Pro Loco world in supporting a city that after the division of the border in the mid-twentieth century is now experiencing a new union at a European level. Long live Nova Gorica and Gorizia, capitals of shared culture and long live Friuli Venezia Giulia, a territory that stands out for its strong community spirit and sense of belonging. Here our associations work every day alongside the Municipalities and regional institutions to strengthen the attractiveness, identity and connections between local realities, creating not only new opportunities for growth, but above all protecting and enhancing the invaluable intangible cultural heritage of a territory that has given so much to the history of our country. In Gorizia the border has marked the city also in its intangible cultural heritage and it is precisely here that we announced for the first time that the next issue of our national magazine, Arcobaleno, will deal with this theme in the next issue with a special dedicated to the city and Friuli Venezia Giulia”.
La Spina met with the mayor of Gorizia Rodolfo Ziberna together with the president of the Unpli Regional Committee of Friuli Venezia Giulia Pietro De Marchi. The visit was also an opportunity to greet the volunteers of the Pro Loco active in Gorizia during the inaugural ceremony: Pro Loco of Castelnovo del Friuli and Val d'Arzino-Anduins (who shared a stand), Maniago, Valle di Soffumbergo Alesso and Consorzio Nord-Est, Sauris Zahre, Forgaria nel Friuli, Torviscosa, Vermegliano, Udine Castello, Mersino, Turriaco, Sutrio, Precenicco, Ronchi del Legionari and the hosts of Gorizia with the president of Gorizia Giorgio Lorenzoni.
"We are happy - underlined the regional Unpli president De Marchi - that the typical products of Friuli Venezia Giulia have been able to give their contribution to the launch of the European Capital of Culture. Thanks again to the mayor Ziberna and the councilor Artico for the invitation that has truly honored us and to the presidents of our Pro Loco with their volunteers who participated with great enthusiasm. The inaugural ceremony was a great emotion, which we will carry in our hearts: Gorizia and Nova Gorica have never been so close, it will be a year to truly experience and in which we will return to the city for other events of the Pro Loco world".
The Pro Loco stands were also touched by the itinerary of “From station to station”, the great inaugural procession that represented the start of the European Capital of Culture program starting from the railway station of Gorizia in Italy and arriving at the Transalpina railway station of Nova Gorica in Slovenia, where the official ceremony took place with the heads of state Mattarella and Pirc Musar, and then continuing in the center of Nova Gorica and to the Casarossa square in Gorizia.