In Netherlands, as in Italy, only a handful of cities have announced their intention to compete to become European Capital of Culture in 2033.

I have always believed that cities are living organisms, with their streets acting as arteries in the human body, transporting blood and lives. Cities – as I wrote in my book Le città invincibili – L’esempio di Matera 2019 (Invincible Cities – The Example of Matera 2019) – are not immobile urban agglomerations. If that were the case, they would be doomed to certain death, a bit like what is happening in small villages where everything has remained as it once was and perhaps for this very reason they are destined for a future with few prospects.

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). For all three countries we have entered the shortlist phase and therefore the cities have been working around their cultural projects for some time.

The topic of youth participation in cultural projects is highly topical. But it is often a theme that, although very frequent, often falls into rhetoric or banality.

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).