Swiss Cultural Capital 2030: The decisive phase begins between Bellinzona and Lugano.

The selection for the title of Swiss Cultural Capital 2030 is entering its most concrete phase. After months of preparation and the submission of candidature dossiers, the competing cities are now called upon to demonstrate the solidity of their projects in the field. In March, a delegation from the jury of theSwiss Cultural Capital Association (CCS) is engaged in a series of official visits that represent a key step in the decision-making process.

After the stops already made in Aarau and Thun, attention now turns to Ticino: Bellinzona will be visited on Wednesday, March 25th, while the following day it will be Lugano's turn, with Mendrisio and Locarno also being involved in a broader territorial perspective.

A field evaluation

Visits aren't limited to formal meetings. The jury delegation directly analyzes the cultural fabric of the candidate cities, exploring three to four representative sites and institutions for each context. The goal is to understand how these spaces could fit into a potential annual program for cultural capitals.

At the same time, discussions will be held with local authorities and project managers, helping to clarify issues that emerged during the preliminary analysis of the dossiers. During this phase, the jury will primarily examine the cities' strategic vision, evaluating the proposals' coherence, ambition, and sustainability.

Beyond the Events: A Long-Term Vision

The concept of Swiss Cultural Capital 2030 It is based on a clear principle: it's not just about organizing events, but about generating a lasting impact. Candidate cities are therefore required to demonstrate their ability to initiate cultural processes that continue well beyond the year of designation.

Cultural participation is one of the key criteria. The jury evaluates the extent to which projects successfully engage artists, institutions, and the population in an inclusive manner, fostering a widespread sense of belonging and participation. This is complemented by more structural aspects, such as the solidity of the financial plan and the clarity of the planned organization.

Infrastructure and attractiveness

Another key factor concerns the cities' potential in terms of attractiveness and capacity to host major events. Site visits allow us to assess the quality of existing infrastructure and its suitability for a broad-based cultural program.

At this stage, a detailed program is not yet required, but the jury expects a convincing vision of future cultural offerings. The goal is to build a program that encompasses diverse disciplines and attracts both established audiences and new visitor segments.

The protagonists of the selection

The delegation in charge of the visits is composed of leading figures from the Swiss cultural and media scene, including Cathy Flaviano, Jacques Cordonier e Daniel HitzigThe group is supported by the vice president of the association Tony Burgener and from the general secretary Myriam Neuhaus.

The delegation's work will flow into a detailed report, expected in May, which will form the basis for the plenary jury's final decision.

Leading the latter is Daniel Rossellat, a central figure in the project since its conception in 2013. Over time, the initiative has acquired significant institutional recognition, being included in the Federal Council's Message on Culture 2025–2028.

A project for national cohesion

The title of Swiss Cultural Capital is awarded every three years to a city with more than 20.000 inhabitants. For twelve months, the chosen location becomes an open-air cultural laboratory, with a program designed to be accessible and inclusive.

The objective is twofold: on the one hand, to strengthen national cohesion through exchanges between linguistic and cultural regions, and on the other, to generate economic and social benefits for the host territory.

This path also includes La Chaux-de-Fonds, designated Swiss Cultural Capital for 2027, which will serve as a test bed for the model before the 2030 edition.

Towards the final decision

With the conclusion of the March visits, the process will enter its final phase. In early June, the plenary jury will choose which city will take up the mantle and prepare to represent Swiss culture in 2030.

This decision is eagerly awaited not only by the candidate cities, but by the entire national cultural scene, which views this project as a strategic opportunity for development and visibility.

Lugano, Locarno, and Mendrisio: three cities, one cultural vision for 2030