Kyiv has officially been awarded the status of UNESCO City of Music by joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Currently, the network unites 408 cities and covers 8 creative industries: crafts and folk arts, media arts, cinema, design, gastronomy, literature, music, and architecture has been added since 2025.
The idea to submit an application arose in 2023 at the initiative of the Kyiv City Council Standing Committee on Culture, Tourism, and Public Communications.
During preparation, a thorough analysis of the cultural life of the Ukrainian capital was conducted, which showed that the music industry is one of the most powerful and representative sectors of Kyiv. The city has dozens of concert venues, music academies and schools, and hundreds of events, festivals, competitions, and international artistic initiatives are held.
As noted, during the year, a team of specialists conducted analytical work, formed a four-year strategy for the development of the capital’s music sector, prepared a justification for the application, and a description of local and international projects.
The main goal of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, established in 2004, is to include art and creativity in the basis of urban development plans at the local and international levels. Currently, the network unites 408 cities and covers 8 creative industries: crafts and folk arts, media arts, cinema, design, gastronomy, literature, music, and architecture, all added since 2025.
