Every November, as Saint Cecilia’s feast day approaches, the Lojze Bratuž Cultural Centre in Gorizia resonates with the sounds of the Cecilijanka choral festival. Organised by the Slovene Catholic Cultural Union, this beloved celebration of vocal music has brought voices together for six decades, remaining true to the vision of its founder, the late Father Prof. Mirko Filej – musician, choir director and cultural champion.
What began as a local gathering has blossomed into a cross-border celebration of choral music, drawing Slovene choirs from Gorizia, Trieste, Carinthia, the Canale Valley, the Benecia, and Slovenia itself. The festival’s embrace has widened to include Italian and Friulian choirs, making it a true reflection of Friuli-Venezia Giulia’s rich choral tradition. Beyond the music, Cecilijanka serves as a bridge between cultures, fostering friendship, collaboration and cultural exchange through the universal language of song.
