In his three-part series, Mathias Rota looks at the concept of the Capital of Culture.

For almost 40 years, cities in the European Union have been awarded the title of Capital of Culture. Far from losing momentum, the initiative still attracts numerous applications, drawn by the positive impact of culture on the regions. The success of the programme has been so resounding that it has found many imitators around the world.

As the first part of a triptych, this contribution takes a fresh look at the development of Europe's cultural chapters, discusses essential adaptations of the original concept, and deals with the possible consequences of these programmes on the basis of an important review of scientific literature.

The next two articles analyse how important it is to establish a corresponding initiative in Switzerland, based on the idea put forward in 2013 by Daniel Rossellat and the project that would give La Chaux-de-Fonds the title of the first Swiss Capital of Culture.