Over 10 countries have organised national capital of culture titles since Athens held the first European Capital of Culture in 1985. Canada started the trend in 2000, while Serbia is the latest as the city of Cack proudly carries the title in 2023. They have a few things in organisational common but vary considerably in their objectives both at national level and at city level. Title holders have ranged from villages of a few hundred to medium sized cities and former European Capitals of Culture are normally excluded. Independent expert Steve Green, member of the selection panel for European Capitals of Culture for five years, three as its chair (including the panel which selected Elefsina) and lead author of the European Commission’s Guide to Candidates, discusses the key aspirations, criteria, process as well as the tricky parts of a new national title.