The “European capital of culture” project was officially initiated in 1985 after the ministries of Culture approved the resolution. Its first edition took place in Athens that same year. As early as 1983, on the occasion of a forum organized together with other 10 European ministers of culture, Greek Minister Melina Mercouri had already powerfully suggested the need to develop a stronger awareness of the continent’s cultural value between European citizens. Starting from 1985, every other year, in turn, one or more European cities have organized this cultural event: in Italy the organizing cities have been Florence in 1986, Bologna in 2000 and Genoa in 2004. In 2019 Italy will take part again in the project. Between 2007 and 2019, the law that regulates the applications for “European Cultural Capital” is Law No.1622/2006/CE. In 2010 the project will reach its 25th edition, with 41 cities that have hosted the event in the past. It is then a well-consolidated initiative, whose consideration allows for a few thoughts and evaluations.

Usually the initiative is managed by an ad hoc organization formed mainly by public institutions (Municipalities, Provinces, Regions, Universities, etc.) even if in a few cases there have been public/private joint-ventures. The juridical structure of such entities may vary, but the great majority is made of limited companies, foundations, partnerships and non-profit organizations. The managing institution is always sided by an operational structure composed by a varying number of elements. This body is in charge of event coordination and organization, communication and marketing, administration and accounting. Past editions were usually created around themes and each section included many different events. The number of projects organized may vary considerably from one city to the other, but it is never less than one hundred; also the number of visitors is very uneven but always above one million. The event often brings very positive effects for incoming tourism. During the year of the event an intensification of tourism is registered, usually lasting over the following months, sometimes until the second year after the event, even if the amount of tourists decreases. The main source of funding is public money (78%) while private actors participate through sponsoring with an average contribution of 13% (Palmer Report, 1995-2004). Public funding is mostly provided by the central government (56%): cities contribute with a 20% share, while regions with 11% of the total amount. EU funding is usually € 1,5 million, averagely 2% of the whole public giving (Palmer Report, 1995-2004). Moreover, especially interesting to consider is the case of Essen and Ruhr, hosting the event in 2010. Based on the extensive involvement of territories, cultural actors and institutions, the Ruhr approach showed very positive results. It is focused on themes from the regions’ past but it also suggests a vision for the territory. As could be done for Veneto and the whole North-East of Italy, the social, historical and cultural identity of Ruhr becomes the springboard for a participated effort during the European cultural event. Besides the issue of identity, the Ruhr project also includes a reconsideration of its metropolitan area, and this issue could prove very inspiring for Veneto as well. For many decades now, in the region, economic and industrial development have had priority over the territory, its spare resources and the historical landscape. The brief consideration of a few synthetic values allows estimating the position of Venice in relation to other cities that will be hosting the event.

Based on the 2004 Urban Audit Report, between European capitals of culture, cities with less then 500.000 inhabitants are predominant (28 over 48); seven cities have more than 1 million inhabitants, and between them the biggest is Istanbul with its almost 10 million inhabitants. The Turkish city will host the event in 2010, together with Essen (Germany) and Pécs (Hungary).

Venice is in the group of cities with a population ranging between 250.000 and 500.000. European capitals of culture have a very uneven level of wealth, measured in terms of average GDP per capita (2001): spanning from € 2.100 in Sibiu (Romania) to € 69.875 in Paris. The average GDP per capita in the considered cities is € 26.953: Venice is below this value with € 21.050. As far as tourism is concerned, three standards (Urban Audit, 2004) have been considered: sleeping accommodation, sleeping accommodation every one thousand inhabitants and overnight stays per year. In this case as well the situation is very uneven, since cities with a strong tourist tradition, such as many European capitals and most famous art cities (Venice between them) are considered together ith other cities that still have to explore their touristic potentials (as most cities in eastern Europe). Venice is the first city for the number of hotel beds every one thousand inhabitants (119), and between the first for the total amount of hotel beds (32.208) and tourist overnight stays (6.930.073). European capitals are not always sufficiently equipped with cultural facilities (theatres, cinemas, etc) especially if the number of facilities is compared to that of the inhabitants. Again based on the data referred to 2004, together with the big European cities and capital cities rank many medium-sized cities. Between them are many Italian cities such as Florence, Bologna and Venice. The ranking of Venice is extremely good especially if the number of museum every 100.000 inhabitants (12,17) or the number of theatres every 100.000 inhabitants (5,89) are considered.