Mattarella and Pahor awarded in Gorizia: the symbol of European cooperation

The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, attended the award ceremony of the 25th Santi Ilario e Taziano Award – City of Gorizia, an event of great significance for the promotion of dialogue and cooperation between Italy and Slovenia. The importance of a united and peaceful Europe was at the heart of his speech, in which he reiterated the need to counter dangerous nationalisms and to enhance collaboration between peoples.

An award for European cooperation and brotherhood

The ceremony, held at Verdi Theatre of Gorizia, he saw Mattarella receives the award together with the President Emeritus of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor. This recognition was awarded for the support of the project Go!2025 – Nova Gorica-Gorizia European Capital of Culture 2025 and for the commitment to strengthening the friendship between the two countries.

After the mass celebrated by the Archbishop of Gorizia, Monsignor Carlo Roberto Maria Redaelli, the ceremony was enriched by the participation of students from the Locchi and Trinko schools, who sang the Italian and Slovenian national anthems. A symbolic gesture that underlined the brotherhood between the two nations.

Mattarella's speech: "A future of peace is a duty"

In his speech, theThe President of the Republic recalled the historic moment experienced with the former Slovenian President Pahor in Piazza della Transalpina, a symbolic place of division transformed into a space of union and sharing. He stressed that the success of the reconciliation between the two cities is due to civil societies, capable of building bonds of friendship and solidarity beyond the divisions imposed by history.

"The two cities have courageously transformed the geographical proximity of their identities into an opportunity, giving life to an invaluable example not only for our two countries, but for the whole of Europe and for the values ​​that the Union project represents." said Mattarella.

The President also reiterated the need for a cohesive Europe, where dialogue and cooperation prevail over the logic of force. He recalled the horrors of the past, warning of the risk of repeating historical errors: "The horror of the concentration camps and the long winter of genocide after '45 have been repeated too many times. It is not the abandonment to illusions that avoids them but the commitment of the people and the courage of the institutions to never fail to respect the dignity of the people".

The frontier as an opportunity for growth

Mattarella praised the example of Gorizia and Nova Gorica, which have always represented a crossroads of peoples, languages ​​and cultures. “The frontier, from a hostile place, thus becomes a factor of opportunity, of meeting of resources and growth, in the economy, in science, in cultural identities.“, declared the President.

The Borut Pahor expressed gratitude for the collaboration with Mattarella, underlining the value of cooperation between the two countries. "We have worked together to build a better world. It has not always been easy, but our responsibility towards the future of Europe has guided us.” said Pahor, calling for not giving up in the face of the challenges the European Union is facing.

A symbol of unity for the future of Europe

The importance of reconciliation and cooperation was also reiterated by local authorities, including the President of the Region Massimiliano Fedriga and the Mayor of Gorizia Rodolfo Ziberna. Fedriga underlined how the handshake between Mattarella and Pahor has become a symbol of reconciliation and of building a future based on collaboration.

At the end of the ceremony, Mattarella and Pahor left the Verdi Theatre amidst applause from the audience, sealing with an embrace the profound meaning of this day.