BYDGOSZCZ A CITY OF MUSIC! We entered the network of UNESCO creative cities

The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UNESCO Creative Cities Network)
on October 31, 2023 announced the list of cities whose applications
for entry into the Network have been favorably evaluated. Our
application gained recognition and thus Bydgoszcz was the only Polish
city in this year’s call for proposals to be awarded the title of Creative City in
the field of music.

The 55 cities that joined the Network this year were recognized
primarily for their “strong commitment to using
culture and creativity as part of their development strategies and for
demonstrating innovative practices in human-centered planning
urban planning” (announcement from
UNESCO website).

Bydgoszcz’s application to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network is
a natural consequence of the evolution of the approach to culture, which in
our city has been going on since the Bydgoszcz Congress of Culture and
the following events: the signing of the Pact for Culture,
the creation of the Civic Strategy for Cultural Development and the resulting
city strategy.

By joining the Network, the cities reaffirm their commitment to
develop partnerships, promote creativity, share
best practices and strengthen residents’ participation in
cultural life.

The UNESCO Creative Cities Network includes seven
creative fields: literature, music, film, arts and crafts
folk art, design, gastronomy and media arts. Currently, the
Network has 350 cities representing various fields of
cultural activity.

‍The Network includes six Polish cities. In 2013 the title of City
Creative in the field of literature went to Krakow, in 2015
Katowice (music), and in 2017 Lodz (film), in 2019 Wroclaw
(literature), and in 2021 Gdynia (film). In 2023,
Bydgoszcz joined the Network in the field of music.