Throughout the summer, three musical events took place at carefully selected, historically rich venues, uniting art, historical memory, and emotional experience within the BeWoP project. The concerts by the group VOCES8, the project Songs of War, Work and Love, and the piano recital Allow Yourself offered audiences unique experiences in extraordinary, symbolic settings.
June 20 – VOCES8 on Sveta Gora (Holy Mountain)
The internationally acclaimed British vocal ensemble VOCES8 captivated the audience on June 20 in the basilica on Sveta Gora. As part of their world tour celebrating 20 years of artistic activity, the octet presented a diverse program ranging from Renaissance music to contemporary pop and jazz arrangements. Their exceptional harmony and vocal precision created an extraordinary experience in the acoustically rich space. Before the concert, visitors were also invited to join a guided tour of the First World War tunnel beneath Sveta Gora.
August 9 – Songs of War, Work and Love
In the picturesque setting of the ruins of the Church of St. Valentine on Sabotin, the musical event Songs of War, Work and Love took place on August 9. This event was part of the project Art Against the Gun, which is also included in the official program of the European Capital of Culture Nova Gorica–Gorizia 2025. Italian artists Silvia Tarozzi and Deborah Walker, together with the Slovena Voices quartet led by Zvezdana Novaković ZveN, interpreted folk songs from northern Italy dating back to the first half of the 20th century. These songs, filled with memories of war, labor, and love, highlighted the voices of women – the carriers of oral tradition, cultural memory and identity.
August 26 – Luca Ciut: Allow Yourself
The final event took place on August 26 with the introspective piano concert Allow Yourself by pianist and composer Luca Ciut, known for his film scores nominated for the David di Donatello and European Film Awards. His music, marked by cinematic sensitivity and deep inner exploration, evoked powerful emotions in the peaceful environment of Sabotin. The sounds of the piano, interwoven with the silence of nature, created a meditative atmosphere that guided the audience toward quiet reflection and an experience of beauty.
