The capital of Ukraine has officially been granted the status of UNESCO City of Music, joining the Network of Creative Cities. According to Victoria Mukha, a member of the Kyiv City Council, this achievement is the result of prolonged and coordinated efforts.
“We submitted our application during a challenging time when Kyiv showcases its resilience. We strongly believe that our city deserves recognition in the global cultural community. This UNESCO decision acknowledges not only our rich musical heritage but also the contemporary creative energy of Kyiv’s residents,” emphasized Victoria Mukha. “This is not just an honorary title; it is a motivation to develop sustainable cultural policies and support young talents.”
The idea to apply emerged in 2023, initiated by the Kyiv City Council’s permanent commission on culture, tourism, and public communications. The project was supported by Mayor Vitali Klitschko, and an intersectoral team was formed to prepare the necessary documents.
During the preparation, a comprehensive analysis of Kyiv's cultural life was conducted, showing that the music sector is one of the strongest and most representative aspects of the city. Numerous concert venues, music academies, and schools operate here, hosting hundreds of events, festivals, and competitions.
Over the year, specialists worked on developing a four-year strategy for the music sector, preparing justifications for the application and outlining local and international project descriptions.
“Achieving the status of UNESCO City of Music is the result of deep cooperation between local professionals, the music community, and city authorities,” stated Serhiy Anziyak, Director of the Kyiv City State Administration Culture Department. “For Kyiv, this is a new stage in cultural development, opening up opportunities for international collaboration and investment in music infrastructure.”
Initiatives related to the City of Music status are already integrated into the Comprehensive City Target Program “Capital Culture: 2025–2027,” which aims for the systematic development of Kyiv's cultural ecosystem.
A coordination office is planned to be established at the Kyiv Municipal Academy of Music to oversee the implementation and reporting of the four-year strategic action plan within Kyiv's participation in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
