The capital is preparing an application for the status of a UNESCO City of Music. It is expected that the Ukrainian capital will be able to join the Creative Cities Network as early as 2024. Find out what benefits the status provides and what it obliges

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At the initiative of the Kyiv City Council's Standing Committee on Culture, Tourism, and Public Communications, Kyiv has begun work on obtaining the city's UNESCO Creative Status. According to the Kyiv City State Administration, during a roundtable meeting, it was determined that the status of the City of Music is most appropriate for the capital of Ukraine.

"Obtaining the honorary title of UNESCO City of Creativity is not only an image advantage and consolidation of this status, but also an impetus for the rapid development of the creative industry and active cooperation at the local and international levels. Music is the area of the creative industry that Kyiv has chosen to represent in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network," said Viktoria Mukha, head of the Kyiv City Council's Commission on Culture, Tourism and Public Communications.

Read more about how Kyiv became a member of the G20 Smart Cities Alliance here.

What is the UNESCO Creative Cities Network?

The Creative Cities Network was established in 2004. Its main goal is to include art and creativity in urban development plans at the local and international levels. The network unites about 300 cities and covers seven creative sectors: crafts and folk arts, media arts, cinema, design, gastronomy, literature, and music.

Kyiv - City of Music: What will change with the status?

As Victoria Mukha noted, in the context of a full-scale invasion, it is especially important that the world gets to know our culture, including through music. And Kyiv's representation in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network will also help Ukraine in the fight against kremlin propaganda, which for centuries has been trying to destroy Ukrainian identity, history, and culture, and appropriating the best of it.

In addition, by joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, participants commit to sharing their best practices and developing partnerships to strengthen and expand cultural activities. They are also committed to developing centers of creativity and innovation, expanding opportunities for creators and professionals in the cultural sector, making cultural life accessible to all, including vulnerable groups, and integrating culture and creativity into sustainable development plans.

The MP also added that in addition to the image status, the practical benefits of membership in the Network are

– access to updated information, tools, and development strategies of the Network's member cities, exchange of experience, knowledge, and best practices

– active participation in the activities of a dynamic network - communication with experts and specialists, establishing partnerships, pilot projects;

– recognition of the city's efforts - exchange of information about key achievements and ideas, positioning the city as a model for others.

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What is required to become a member of the Creative Cities Network?

According to the Kyiv City State Administration, to obtain the status, a city submits an application with its main achievements, institutions, city projects, and programs. The application must also include a 4-year strategic action plan outlining specific projects and initiatives at the local and international levels to be implemented after the possible status is granted. 

A condition of accession is also the creation of a coordination team that, if granted, will implement the 4-year plan and report on its implementation every 4 years. It is expected that Kyiv will be able to obtain the status as early as 2024.

Proposals for the 4-year strategic plan can be submitted by March 10 to [email protected].

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We remind you! Kyiv is a city with a rich history and an incredible number of places worth visiting for both Ukrainians and foreign guests. And we are sure that the capital of Ukraine can surprise even those who have lived here all their lives. Read where to spend a weekend in Kyiv and what to see when you think you've seen it all in our previous article.

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