by InTrieste
Interviews: Roberto Gajer, head of Fipe Gorizia branch; Chiara Canzoneri, head of local Slowfood branch
The border city of Gorizia is closing out the 20th edition of Gusti di Frontiera on Sunday, after four days that brought record participation and international attention.
For the first time, the festival featured more than 400 food stands representing 50 countries, drawing tens of thousands of visitors. Organizers said the turnout underscores Gorizia’s rising profile ahead of its year as European Capital of Culture in 2025, shared with neighboring Nova Gorica in Slovenia.
A highlight of this year’s edition was the new “Borderless Village” in Piazza Transalpina, the symbolic square linking the two cities, where visitors sampled food and drink in a setting designed to reflect the cross-border spirit of the cultural capital project.
Regional officials reported a 30 percent increase in tourism in Gorizia this summer compared with last year, attributing part of the growth to the momentum created by the festival and preparations for 2025.
“Gusti di Frontiera has long symbolized the meeting of different cultures and flavors,” said Sergio Emidio Bini, Friuli Venezia Giulia’s regional councilor for tourism. “This year it has also shown how Gorizia can serve as a crossroads for Europe.”
