From April 14 to 16, 2025, the Women Writers Route organised what became a remarkable international gathering that unfolded across the borderlands of Nova Gorica, Gorizia, and Vipolže. The conference, titled “Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe: Recognition and Preservation of Cultural Heritage in Cross-Border Regions,” brought together an inspiring community of cultural professionals, researchers and representatives of other Cultural Routes committed to the shared values of heritage, dialogue, and cooperation.
The opening day welcomed participants with a guided visit to the Kostanjevica Monastery, where speeches and a shared reflection on the intertwined destinies of these twin towns set a meaningful tone. A presentation on Nova Gorica and Gorizia’s role as European Capital of Culture 2025 invited everyone to look toward the future while celebrating the region’s unique historical and cultural fabric. The evening concluded with a tasting of local wines and food, embodying the spirit of connection and conviviality that would continue throughout the event.
The following day, the Municipality of Nova Gorica hosted a full programme of discussions and exchanges. From the very first session, it was evident how powerfully cultural routes function as bridges—not only between places, but also between generations, disciplines, and perspectives. Experts and representatives of several certified cultural routes of the Council of Europe reflected on the challenges and opportunities of working across borders, the role of cultural heritage in shaping European identity, and the need for inclusive and sustainable tourism approaches rooted in local narratives.
One of the most symbolic moments of the conference was the guided walk along Ljubka’s Trail, dedicated to the poet Ljubka Šorli and organised by the Women Writers Route. The walk led participants through the landscapes and words that defined her life, weaving together poetry, memory, and geography. It was a living example of what the Women Writers Route stands for: cultural heritage as an active, cross-border dialogue that honours women’s voices and creates space for equality.
The final day, set against the backdrop of the elegant Villa Vipolže, offered further opportunities to reflect and look ahead, in particular, the conference was a great occasion to strenghten the cooperation between Women Writers and Saint Martin’s Route,
The closing conference and afternoon workshops reinforced the idea that cultural routes are not just paths across territories—they are timeless bridges between people and places, linking the past to the future with creativity and care.
We are deeply grateful to all those who contributed to the success of this event: to our hosts and partners, to the passionate speakers and participants, and to the institutions supporting this initiative, including the European Union through the Interreg Italy–Slovenia Small Project Fund managed by EGTC GO.
As we return home, we carry with us not only new ideas and collaborations, but also a renewed belief in the value of cultural routes as spaces of connection, imagination, and shared purpose.
The LJUBKINA POT project is funded by the European Union through the Small Project Fund GO!2025 of the Interreg VI-A Italy-Slovenia Programme 2021-2027, managed by the EGTC GO.
www.ita-slo.eu www.euro-go.eu/spf
