Kyiv Achieves UNESCO City of Music Status
Kyiv has officially been recognized as a UNESCO City of Music, joining the Network of Creative Cities. According to city council member Victoria Mukha, this decision is the result of long-term collaborative efforts.
“We submitted the application during challenging times when Kyiv demonstrates its resilience every day. We believed our city deserved recognition in the global cultural community. This UNESCO decision acknowledges not only our rich musical heritage but also the contemporary creativity of Kyiv’s residents,” emphasized Victoria Mukha.
The idea to submit the application arose in 2023, initiated by the Kyiv City Council's commission for culture, tourism, and public communications, with support from Mayor Vitali Klitschko. The city formed a cross-sectoral team that included representatives from government institutions, the education sector, and creative industries.
During the preparation, a comprehensive analysis of the cultural life in Kyiv was conducted, revealing that the music sector is one of the most powerful and representative aspects of the city. Kyiv is home to dozens of concert venues, music academies, and schools, hosting numerous festivals and artistic initiatives.
Over the year, a team of experts worked on developing a four-year strategy for the music sector, preparing the rationale for the application as well as descriptions of local and international projects.
“Receiving the UNESCO City of Music status is a result of deep cooperation among city professionals, the music community, and local authorities,” noted the director of the Department of Culture of the Kyiv City State Administration, Serhiy Anzhiya. “For Kyiv, this marks a new phase in cultural development, opening up opportunities for international collaboration and investment in musical infrastructure.”
Initiatives related to the City of Music status are integrated into the Comprehensive City Target Program “Capital Culture: 2025–2027,” which aims to systematically develop Kyiv's cultural ecosystem, support creative industries, and expand international ties.
A coordination office is set to be established at the Kyiv Municipal Academy of Music to oversee the implementation and reporting on the four-year strategic action plan as part of Kyiv's participation in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
