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.

Nine years away from 2033, when it will again be Italy's turn to nominate the European Capital of Culture, the first cities are starting to get on track. Several cities have announced their intention to take part in the competition: Ferrara, Turin, Padua, Urbino-Pesaro (which, however, is the Italian Capital of Culture this year) and Syracuse.

After having interviewed Steve Green and Bob Scott, today we ask the same questions to another ECOCs expert, Franco Bianchini. He is one of the leading experts on European Capitals of Culture. Franco Bianchini was part of the jury of two competitions, the European one that in 2001 selected Cork as ECOC for 2005, and the one, chosen by the Slovenian government, which in 2007 led to the choice of Maribor as one of the two ECOCs for 2012.