The path of Lugano, Locarno, and Mendrisio are on their way to becoming Swiss Cultural Capital 2030. enters a decisive phase, opening the dialogue with the citizens and with the regional cultural system and national. After the official submission of the candidature dossier last December 23, the three cities are promoting a series of public meetings conceived as moments of restitution, dialogue and in-depth analysis of the contents that emerged during the long participatory process.
The project Switzerland seen from the South It arises from a shared belief: the arts and culture do not only represent an area linked toemotional and intellectual growth of the individual and society – a goal which remains primary – but they constitute astrategic infrastructure for social, economic and territorial development. From this perspective, the candidacy does not limit itself to imagining an event-year, but proposes a transformation model with lasting effects.
A polycentric capital beyond traditional borders
A distinctive element of the proposal is its polycentric nature. Lugano, Locarno e Mendrisio they present themselves as a single integrated cultural system, capable of overcoming geographical, linguistic, and institutional barriers. The stated goal is to strengthen the role of Italian-speaking Switzerland in national and international cultural dialogue, offering a perspective complementary to that of the large urban centers in the north of the country.
The guiding theme Switzerland seen from the South It is the result of a broad consultation process involving citizens, cultural operators, educational institutions, businesses, and associations. More than a slogan, it is a cultural posture: a perspective that invites us to reinterpret identities, belonging, and collective narratives, in a historical context marked by fragmentation and polarization.
Swiss Cultural Capital 2030: the four thematic axes and flagship projects
The candidacy's conceptual framework is structured around four thematic axes that will guide cultural programming: slowness in speed, understood as a cultural value and not as a brake on development; the relationship between nature and sustainability; the link between culture, health, and well-being; and the humanization of digital, with particular attention to ethics and the centrality of the person.
Five flagship projects are based on these guidelines, designed to engage the entire regional cultural scene and engage with national and international players. If awarded the title, co-design initiatives are already planned, starting in 2026, with the aim of developing skills, networks, and new professional profiles.
The project aims to leave a tangible legacy: greater visibility for the area, strengthening cultural skills, increasing tourist appeal, developing cooperation networks and interdisciplinary experimentation. A vision that looks beyond 2030 and aims to consolidate practices and collaborations over the long term.
The first public meeting in Lugano
The series of events opens in Lugano, with a meeting hosted by theUniversity of Svizzera ItalianaThe morning, coordinated by Professor Franco Bianchini, an international expert in cultural policies and urban regeneration, plans a presentation of the dossier followed by a debate dedicated to cultural and creative industries.
After the institutional greetings of the USI president Monica Duke Widmer and the introduction of the deputy mayor of Lugano Robert Badaracco, the debate will involve representatives of the academic world, the media and cultural production. Speakers include Paris Pelli, RSI with Lorenzo Erroi, the rector of USI Gabriele Balbi, as well as representatives of the independent art and music sector.
Moderation is entrusted to the journalist Moira BubolaThe meeting is free, but registration is recommended, and will take place on Saturday, February 28th at the USI West Campus Auditorium.
A path that continues on the territory
The first meeting will be followed by two further in-depth sessions, planned in Locarno the 18 April and in Mendrisio April 23. Organizational details will be announced in the coming weeks, but the focus remains the same: creating open spaces for discussion, enabling shared visions to emerge and strengthening the sense of shared responsibility surrounding the candidacy.
Complete information on the project and the path to the Swiss Cultural Capital 2030 is available on the official website.
