13.03.2025

Capitali in itinere

Conference, Roma

H18:00-19:30
Entrance: via Liguria 20

Dates
13.03.2025
Location
Roma
Category
Conference
Information

H18:00-19:30
Entrance: via Liguria 20

The conference will be held in Italian at H18:00 at Istituto Svizzero, via Liguria 20, Rome.
Free entrance, register here.


 

Capitali in itinere. Storie e visioni delle capitali della cultura

The concept of “Capitals of Culture” was created to recognize and celebrate the cultural diversity of cities worldwide. In Europe, the initiative originated in 1985 thanks to Melina Mercouri, then Minister of Culture of Greece, and her French counterpart, Jack Lang. Mercouri proposed designating one European city each year as a cultural capital, with the aim of promoting long-lasting cultural projects, strengthening European unity beyond the economic sphere, and fostering artistic and cultural exchange. In Italy, the first “Capitals of Culture” designated by the Ministry of Culture were Cagliari, Lecce, Perugia, Ravenna, and Siena in 2015. The Swiss town of La Chaux-de-Fonds will become Switzerland’s first cultural capital in 2027.

Istituto Svizzero is hosting a meeting created by Osservatorio culturale del Cantone Ticino, to explore the origins and current relevance of this somewhat ephemeral designation, with particular attention to the Italian and Swiss contexts. The event highlights how urban spaces transform into hubs of creativity and cultural innovation, with a focus on how these cities leverage culture as a tool for urban development and social cohesion, yielding both tangible and intangible impacts.

Key questions guiding the discussion include: How have different “Capitals of Culture” interpreted and implemented this designation? What are the main procedures that lead to the designation of a capital of culture? What expectations and challenges are emerging for the future capitals of culture, particularly in the Italian and Swiss context?

The event is organized by Osservatorio culturale del Cantone Ticino, Dipartimento dell’educazione, della cultura e dello sport – Divisione della cultura e degli studi universitari.

Program:

H18:00 ― Joëlle Comé, Director of Istituto Svizzero, Raffaella Castagnola Rossini, Director of Divisione della cultura e degli studi universitari
Institutional Greetings

H18:10 ― Francesca Saccone, Dirigente Servizio VI Eventi, mostre e manifestazioni, Ministero della cultura, Roma
L’esperienza italiana nella procedura di selezione di Capitale della Cultura

H18:30 ― Alessandro Crociata, Director of Candidacy
L’Aquila 2026: un modello di sviluppo a base culturale per le cittĂ  medie nelle aree interne

H18:50 ― Tony Burgener and Myriam Neuhaus, Vice-President and Director of the association Capitale Culturelle Suisse
The First Cultural Capital in Switzerland: La Chaux-de-Fonds 2027

H19:10 ― Discussion and Q&A

H19:30 ― Conclusion

Moderator: Roland Hochstrasser, Head of Ufficio dell’analisi e del patrimonio culturale digitale

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