© Michael James
Glasgow UNESCO City of Music
The Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura, announced Glasgow a UNESCO City of Music, as part of the Organization’s Creative Cities Network.
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August 23rd 2008 – The announcement was made at a ceremony hosted by Councilor Robert Winter, Lord Provost of Glasgow, in the presence of Linda Fabiani, Scotland’s Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture, and Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale, Chair of the steering committee of Glasgow’s bid for the title.
“We at UNESCO believe that culture not only makes an economic contribution, it provides meaning and a sense of identity and continuity that is integral to the life of all societies,” said the Director-General during the ceremony. “An understanding of culture helps communities grapple with the challenges of globalization, by preserving the values and practices that define their way of life, and by promoting respect for other cultural traditions and ways of life. It represents a way of engaging with cultural differences and building social harmony, of making people of all ages and origins feel involved,” Mr Matsuura added.
Glasgow is now the 12th city of the Creative Cities Network established by UNESCO at the end of 2004 to promote the social, economic and cultural development. The cities that join the global network promote their local creative scene, share their experience with a wider audience, and create new opportunities both for themselves and others through this global platform. The development of partnerships between the public and private sectors is a key feature of the network.
Glasgow is the second Scottish city to join the network, which includes Edinburgh, its first member, proclaimed as City of Literature in 2004. In preparing its bid, Glasgow counted an average of 130 music events a week ranging from pop and rock to Celtic music and opera. It is estimated that music businesses generate some £75 million a year for its economy.
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