Київ Онлайн новини Києва, події у Києві
The capital of Ukraine, Kyiv, has officially received the honorary title of ‘City of Music’ from the international organisation UNESCO and has joined the global Creative Cities Network. This decision is an important international recognition of both the capital’s rich historical heritage in the field of music and its contemporary creative potential and commitment to innovation in cultural policy.
The decision was made after more than a year of systematic and cross-sectoral preparation, from the initial idea to the submission and approval of the application. During this time, an in-depth analysis of the city’s cultural life was conducted, the music industry was identified as one of the key creative components of the capital, and a team of representatives from city authorities, educational institutions, the public sector and creative industries was formed.
In one of her comments, the chair of the relevant committee on culture, tourism and public communications emphasised: ‘We submitted our application at a difficult time – the city is proving its resilience and strength of spirit every day. But we believed that our city has every reason to become part of the global cultural community.’
The status of City of Music is not only symbolic. It opens up new opportunities for Kyiv, including international cooperation in the field of culture, support for young talent, attracting investment in musical infrastructure, and the development of cultural projects on a global level. For the city, this means a new stage in its cultural strategy: music is not only a form of art, but also a tool for development, uniting people and strengthening the image of the capital and the country as a whole.
One of the key areas will be the creation of a coordination office based at the R. M. Glier Music Academy, which will be responsible for implementing the city’s four-year strategic action plan as part of its participation in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. At the same time, the music strategy is integrated into the city’s comprehensive programme ‘Capital Culture: 2025-2027’, which provides for the systematic development of the cultural ecosystem, support for creative industries and the expansion of international ties.
Kyiv’s culture and UNESCO sites
During the preparation of the application, it was noted that Kyiv has dozens of concert venues, music academies and schools, and that the city hosts hundreds of various events every year, including festivals, competitions and international art initiatives. This created a solid basis for the application to UNESCO and confirmed that music is one of the most powerful and representative areas of creative life in Kyiv.
Obtaining this title entails a significant paradigm shift: the city is moving from a local cultural context to participation in the global space of creativity. This means an increase in resources for artistic projects, the development of partnerships with cities around the world, increased visibility for Kyiv’s music scene, and the creation of new opportunities for artists, educators, and cultural organisations.
For the Ukrainian capital, this status also has symbolic significance. At a time when the country is facing challenges, the international recognition of Kyiv’s music scene sends a powerful signal: culture, art and creativity remain an unwavering pillar of national identity and a means of dialogue with the world.
In summary, the status of ‘UNESCO City of Music’ for Kyiv is not just a stage, but the beginning of a new cycle of development: a city that not only preserves its musical traditions, but also actively shapes the cultural platform of the future — open, international, dynamic. By obtaining this right, the capital of Ukraine declares that its music resonates not only at the local level but also has the potential to become the voice of a modern, free and creative country on the world stage.
Earlier, the winners of the Kyiv Book of the Year 2025 literary and artistic award were honoured in Kyiv.
