by InTrieste
In a ceremony underscoring the strengthening ties between Italy and Slovenia, President Sergio Mattarella of Italy and former Slovenian President Borut Pahor were honored with the 25th Santi Ilario and Taziano Award in Gorizia. The event, attended by Friuli Venezia Giulia Governor Massimiliano Fedriga and regional officials, recognized the two leaders for their joint efforts in fostering dialogue and cooperation between the neighboring cities of Gorizia and Nova Gorica.
“This year, the Santi Ilario and Taziano Award takes on even greater significance within the context of GO! 2025, with Nova Gorica and Gorizia united in the European Capital of Culture project,” Governor Fedriga stated at the ceremony, held at the Teatro Verdi. “The presence of President Mattarella and President Pahor today stands as a testament to a shared journey of reconciliation and represents the highest recognition of the commitment our communities have made to building bridges of dialogue and collaboration.”
The award highlights the leaders’ contributions to strengthening relations in a region historically divided by conflict. Speaking at the event, Fedriga emphasized the symbolic importance of their work. “They have helped mend the painful wounds of a border shaped by bloodshed,” he said. “A fabric that has been stitched back together is stronger, and thanks to this strength—rooted in dialogue, understanding, and cooperation—this place now stands as a European and international example.”
The Santi Ilario and Taziano Award, established in 2007 by the Municipality and Diocese of Gorizia, is given to individuals, organizations, or institutions that have honored and promoted the city’s name through contributions in civic, economic, cultural, artistic, religious, or social fields. In a notable change, this year’s edition removed the requirement that recipients must be born or reside in Gorizia, broadening the scope of the award.
Governor Fedriga described the honor bestowed upon Mattarella and Pahor as “a tangible sign of gratitude from this land to two figures who have demonstrated through concrete actions that a future of peace is both possible and desirable. It is a message we wish to share with Europe and the world.”
The ceremony’s setting in Gorizia, a city at the heart of efforts to bridge historical divides, highlighted the broader significance of the occasion. With GO! 2025 on the horizon, the joint Italian-Slovenian European Capital of Culture initiative continues to serve as a platform for unity, dialogue, and shared cultural expression.
