Kyiv has officially earned the title of UNESCO City of Music, joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. According to city council member Victoria Mukha, this achievement is the result of persistent and coordinated efforts.
“We submitted our application during challenging times when Kyiv showcases its resilience. We believe our city deserves to be part of the global cultural community. This UNESCO decision acknowledges our rich musical heritage and the contemporary creative energy of Kyiv,” emphasized Victoria Mukha.
The idea to apply arose in 2023 at the initiative of the Kyiv City Council’s culture committee. Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko supported the project. An intersectoral team was formed to prepare the necessary documents, consisting of representatives from various institutions.
During the preparation phase, a thorough analysis of the cultural life of the capital was conducted, confirming that the music sector is one of the strongest in Kyiv. The city hosts numerous concert venues, music academies, and schools, alongside hundreds of festivals and artistic initiatives.
Over the course of a year, the team of specialists developed a four-year strategy for the music sector, preparing the justification for the application and descriptions of projects at both local and international levels.
“Achieving the status of UNESCO City of Music is the result of deep collaboration among city specialists, the music community, and local authorities,” noted the Director of the Culture Department, Serhiy Anzhiyak. “For Kyiv, this marks a new phase of cultural development, opening opportunities for international cooperation and investment in musical infrastructure.”
Initiatives associated with the City of Music status are integrated into the “Capital Culture: 2025–2027” program, 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, responsible for implementing and reporting on the four-year strategic action plan within Kyiv's participation in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.