by InTrieste
Gorizia will be the focal point of the 2025 Festival of Change, a one-day event set for May 13, dedicated to the theme “Gorizia – City of Just Peace.” The festival aims to foster dialogue and reflection on the complex concepts of peace, diplomacy, and international cooperation, bringing together leaders, thinkers, and journalists to address pressing global challenges.
The event will explore fundamental questions surrounding peace: Where does the line between peace and surrender lie? Is a just peace achievable? And who plays a pivotal role in this process? These topics will be central to discussions throughout the day, with an emphasis on understanding the broader implications of conflict and reconciliation.
Among the participants will be prominent figures from various sectors, including Sebastiano Callari, Regional Councillor for Public Assets, and Antonio Paoletti, President of the Venezia Giulia Chamber of Commerce. In addition, journalist Fausto Biloslavo and Emanuela Verger from The European House – Ambrosetti are also scheduled to attend.
While the focus of the event is on the critical issues of peace and international relations, it will also shine a light on Gorizia’s unique role in fostering cross-border cooperation. The city, which straddles the Italian-Slovenian border, has long been a symbol of both historical conflict and the potential for reconciliation.
The Festival of Change will offer a platform for deep analysis of strategic decisions, with an emphasis on understanding national and international interests in the context of security and diplomacy. With journalists from leading national outlets attending, the event is expected to draw significant attention to the ongoing conversation about Europe’s defense policies and the evolving dynamics of global peace efforts.
By selecting Gorizia as the venue, the festival organizers aim to highlight the city’s symbolic importance in the broader European context. Once a city at the heart of conflict, Gorizia now represents a shared cultural space between Italy and Slovenia, demonstrating the potential for cooperation and reconciliation in the wake of historical tensions. The event will thus serve not only as a forum for important discussions but also as a testament to the region’s ongoing commitment to peace building and cross-border unity.
Interview: FVG governor, Massimiliano Fedriga; war journalist, Fausto Biloslavo
