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Opening of the EPICentre and the permanent exhibition City on the Border

Opening of the EPICentre and the permanent exhibition City on the Border

ECoC GO! 2025 unveils EPIC, a transformed cultural and creative hub at the crossroads of Nova Gorica and Gorizia. With the opening exhibition City on the Border, the space invites visitors to explore a shared past and imagine a connected future.

The Municipality of Nova Gorica, in cooperation with Slovenian Railways and the Ministry of Infrastructure, undertook a comprehensive revitalisation of the Nova Gorica railway station area. The project included the modernisation of railway infrastructure and an extensive renovation of buildings intended for public, cultural and intercultural activities at the crossroads of Nova Gorica and Gorizia – an area that represents the central space of the European Capital of Culture 2025.

Among the key achievements is the project EPIC, created as a contemporary interpretive, intercultural and creative hub. EPIC offers visitors a glimpse into the future through an understanding of the shared past, while serving as a new urban meeting point for connection and creativity. It brings together residents and visitors from both sides of the border, who can attend a variety of events such as exhibitions, conferences, educational programmes, lectures, press conferences, presentations and other cultural activities.

The focal point of the opening is the exhibition City on the Border, designed by Dr Kaja Širok together with colleagues – historian Dr Marko Klavora, Italian historian Dr Alessandro Cattunar and documentary filmmaker Anja Medved. Through personal stories, objects and video testimonies, the exhibition offers a multi-perspective view of the area’s past and provides visitors with an immersive experience of oral history. It is accompanied by a catalogue, audio guides, guided tours, film evenings and diverse cultural programmes. The architectural design of the exhibition was prepared by Svet vmes, with visual design by AA + Studio Kruh.

The renovation of EPIC includes 2,340 m² of interior space and more than 3,200 m² of outdoor arrangements. The total investment amounts to 6.38 million, of which the EU and the state each contributed 39.4%, while the Municipality of Nova Gorica contributed 21.2%. The project was carried out by GITRI.

 

At the opening, Ministers Dr Aleksander Jevšek and Dr Jože Novak, together with Mayor Samo Turel, emphasised that EPIC and the projects Europe Square and Super 8 represent a fundamental transformation of the border area. These projects strengthen cross-border identity, improve quality of life and demonstrate that European funds, when used in partnership, create a lasting positive legacy. GO! 2025 Director Mija Lorbek described EPIC as a new space for gathering and reflecting on the history and future of the Gorizias.

The European Commission announced that the project reinforces the long-term legacy of GO! 2025 and strengthens cultural cooperation in the wider region.

The project is co-funded by the Republic of Slovenia and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund.

Source: GO! 2025
Photo: Jernej Humar

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