There is a lot of excitement surrounding the European Capitals of Culture. In fact, there are an increasing number of initiatives, both at national level, in individual countries, and at international level, involving several countries, aimed at exploring individual aspects of the European Capital of Culture programme in greater depth.

Potries has announced its candidacy for European Capital of Culture for 2031. But it only has a thousand inhabitants: is this a risk or an opportunity?

The engines are warming up of some cities that have decided to run for the title of European Capital of Culture 2033. They are still few in number and can be counted, to date, on the fingers of one hand.

There will be three European capitals of culture in 2030. One will be designated by Cyprus, the other by Belgium, and the third will be chosen between Nikšić (Montenegro) and Lviv (Ukraine). On the short list are three cities for Belgium: Leuven, Molenbeek, and Namur.  Larnaka and Lemesos have been shortlisted for the title of European Capital of Culture 2030 in Cyprus. 

There will be three European capitals of culture in 2030. One will be designated by Cyprus, the other by Belgium, and the third will be chosen between Nikšić (Montenegro) and Lviv (Ukraine). 

Today, the journalist Michele Serra, in one of Italy's leading newspapers “La Repubblica”, highlighted the urgency of upholding the values of Europe inviting citizens to take the streets for Europe (A”piazza” for Europe was the title of the article).

From many places, especially in the media, especially in Italy, there is talk of Gorizia as one of the European capitals of culture for 2025. Nothing could be more wrong. Or almost. Certainly clarity is needed because the beautiful project of Nova Gorica, European Capital of Culture 2025 for Slovenia, which also included Gorizia, created some confusion.

In Italy, engines are revving up to join the race and gain the title of European Capital of Culture in 2033. To this day, the cities that have decided to enter the competition can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Yet the deadline is quite close. It is true that the Ministry of Culture's call for entries has not yet been published, but it will most likely be published in a year's time.

There are 39 Capitals of Culture around the world. Once again this year, Steve Green, one of the leading experts on this subject and a former member of the panel assessing the European Capitals of Culture, has published his report for the ninth consecutive year, drawing up a complete map of the cities that will have this title in 2025.

"Even in Raissa, the unhappy city, there is an invisible thread that connects one living being to another for a moment and then unravels, stretching again between moving points and drawing new rapid figures, so that every second the unhappy city contains a happy city that does not even know it exists".