ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that success is a result not merely of economic adaptation but also of cultural management and diplomatic strategies, matters that are combined in the European Capitals of Culture programme. Thinking about cities and global flows, it might appear as a drastic reduction to focus just on one subject culture mainly in terms of the arts, and notably the effort of some cities to become a European Capital of Culture. The long-term effects of the European Capitals of Culture project (ECoC) are difficult to foresee, even if individual cities have been studied and evaluated. The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union had decided to call the European Capital of Culture scheme a "community action". Diplomacy long appeared as a secret club for the initiated few to remain influential. The new urban European cultural policy was portrayed as coming from below rather than being dictated from the top.
