On Sunday, January 19, 2025, the traditional New Year's concert took place in Savogna d’Isonzo, organized by the Municipality of Savogna, this year co-organized with SDGZ-URES - Slovenian Regional Economic Association. This year, the event held special significance as it was part of the cross-border Interreg project BEroots – Between Rivers and Lagoons: Artistic Routes, which connects the Municipality of Savogna with the Municipality of Vipava, the lead partner of this project.
The New Year’s greeting symbolically built a bridge between the two municipalities, which was also reflected in the rich cultural program. In addition to local singing groups from Vrhovlje, Gabrije, Rupa, Peči, and Sovodnje, as well as individual solos, guests from the Municipality of Vipava joined the event - the Vrhpolje Wind Orchestra, which opened this year’s program and impressed the audience with their music.
The Mayor of Savogna d’Isonzo, Luca Pisk, presented the key highlights of the BEroots project to the citizens, which aims to preserve cultural heritage and promote sustainable tourism. He emphasized the planned interventions in the Municipality of Savogna, which will bring new cultural and tourism offerings.
In the heart of the village of Rupa, a special poetic corner will be created on the so-called b’nkina. The area will be equipped with a bench, a table, and an informational board dedicated to the local poet Franjo Rojc. Another location will be developed near the Malnišče craft zone, right by the picturesque bend of the Vipava River. This area will be cleaned, equipped with a bench, a table, a commemorative information board, and even a small wooden hanging house intended to collect thoughts and verses from visitors and locals. Additionally, boards featuring Rojc’s verses will be installed in all villages of the Municipality of Savogna, further emphasizing the importance of cultural heritage.
One of the main goals of the BEroots project is to establish a walking and cycling path that will connect the source of the Vipava River in the Municipality of Vipava with its mouth in the Municipality of Savogna d’Isonzo. In the Savogna area, the path will follow less busy local roads in line with the Biciplan strategy. This sustainable initiative will promote active tourism and strengthen connections among the residents of both municipalities.
The BEroots project represents an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between the two municipalities, as preparations are already underway for the signing of a twinning agreement between Savogna d’Isonzo and Vipava. This agreement will enable closer collaboration in sustainable tourism, culture, and the arts, while also solidifying the ties between the municipalities after the project’s conclusion.
The event was also attended by the Mayor of Vipava, Anton Lavrenčič, who was invited on stage for the occasion. In his speech, he greeted all those present and expressed his joy at collaborating with the Municipality of Savogna, which will undoubtedly continue even after the BEroots project ends.
In conclusion, Mayor Luca Pisk thanked all participants for the wonderful atmosphere and their contribution to the event's success, which symbolically marked the beginning of the new year and new shared opportunities.