01. Gorizia and Nova Gorica (separated twin towns)

Gorizia and Nova Gorica twin towns

Note: some pictures are taken from other forums, please understand that my intentions are not commercial or to get some benefit rather than help the communication between Italy and Slovenia people, and to give my research as a future plan to unite humans.

Two twin towns separated by a phisical remaining element of the iron curtain

Before we start working, I would like to introduce you a little bit more on what is happening on this area, so you can understand the motivation of this project.

After the 2nd World War, in the Paris peace treaties of 1947, a new borderline was established between both Italy and Yugoslavia. Gorizia once again was under italian control.

The new borderline was established using as a reference the old railways which lead to the Transalpina station.
After the Paris treaties, and in the middle of the reconstruction of all Europe, Yugoslavia decided to create a new city in the area which was totally destroyed. And so it was in 1948, a new twin town called Nova Gorica was born on the other side of the borderline a few meters away from the old Gorizia.


Here you can read more about Gorizia and Nova Gorica in the Wikipedia:

Gorizia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorizia

Nova Gorica: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nova_Gorica


Why the borderline?
Well, during the study of the area, most of us we could find that one of the main problems in the city, is the communication between Gorizia and Nova Gorica.
It´s increadible to see, though years went by, that the main element which is still used as a borderline reference (the old railway), is still creating some traffic problems in the rush hours, but mainly is still creating a barrier for both cultures.
Though this barrier is everyday crossed by many italians and slovenians who go from side to the other, maybe to go to their jobs, to buy something, to visit some friends, to visit family that remained on the other side, this barrier is still very strong.
Physically, visually we´ve got a strong urban object that we cannot displace (because is a communication way), nowadays we cannot bury it (because is a very expensive solution, and also it has a political and historical value)

We can dare to say, that a last part of the old "iron wall" is still alive...

Some of the old border controls are still complicating and slowing down the traffic and comunication.

Some of the old border controls are still complicating and slowing down the traffic and comunication

The old railway, still a part of the old "iron curtain"

Though there are some bike paths, the border line is always present.

This image from the Kostanjevica hill, speaks for itself about the strong division.

Another picture that shows the strong separation between nations, from the Pristava bridge.

Difference of cultures?
It´s easily to understand that after many years of war, (created only by politicians and governments), you can easily get a devastating separation between people.
Nowadays, slowly and after almost 4 generations, the racism and separation of nations generated by politicians is slowly disappearing, and now we can find once again that both cultures, somehow they were living in peace and cooperating together before facism.
Not only in Gorizia or Stara Gorica, but also in big cities as Trieste or Trst, slovenians and italians were living al together and even language was not a barrier in those days.
When the italian fascist government took control of Italy, this peace was totally destroyed, a large campaing of defamation, persecutions, slovenian shops turned in fire, and many slovenians died because this bad advertising.
Between 1st and 2nd world war, Italy was controlling most of the slovenian territory, and the fascist government forced the slovenian people to become italians. Slovenian schools were closed, the remaining ones were teaching only in italian language (thing that was abrupt for children who only spoke in slovenian, italian teachers were obliged to strike at them if they would speak in slovenian).
Resentment is slowly vanishing, the only people which still have the old mentality of pain, resentment and feelings against the other nation, of course generated by politicians a long time ago, is slowly disappearing from the new generations.

A strong image that shows cooperation and love between both nations.

A 3rd point of view is always helpful, (and also if it hasn´t been influenced!)

After 1st world war many slovenian families which were living near Gorizia lost everything, most of them were obliged to abandon their houses (because were destroyed or expropiated after the Isonzo or Soča battle front), they left everything and went to other countries like: Argentina, Australia, United States.

Many italians also left to this countries, because they were tired of problems, war, poverty and injustices.

In the 1st world war, italians were obliged to fight against "enemies", the alpine regiments were sent to the battle front in Isonzo or Soča River, were my slovenian family lived.

In the 2nd world war, italians also were obliged to fight against the same "enemies" once again, this time part of my italian family were sent to attack areas were my slovenian family lived.

But as we all know, anger, hate and separation are only illusions to separate people: My italian great-grandfather married my slovenian great-grandmother during the 2nd world war, and the most funny fact was that, my italian family who where soldiers, were staying and visiting everyday my slovenian family, so yes, love and peace are more powerful than any government command.

We can deduce that bad advertising and bad influence was a horrible fact used in Europe just to separate both nations for some few people´s benefit.

As I said a lot of times, I´m the product of this wars. I´m that 4th generation of slovenians and italians lost somewhere in the world.

As an appasionated argentinian, great-grandson of italians and slovenians which studied the storical facts in this area and also the current situation between nations. Knowing both cultures, both languages and being in permanent contact with both sides, I think I can help here.

Thanks for reading and remember: "yes, it´s possible!" / "si, è possible!" / "da, je mogoče!"