City of Music (UNESCO)

The City of Music is a special title given by UNESCO to cities around the world that show how important music is for their growth and future. These cities work together to share ideas and create more music events and programs. This network is part of a bigger group called the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, which started in 2004.

The UNESCO Creative Cities Network includes cities that are good at different creative things, like making crafts, designing, making films, cooking special foods, writing books, and more. Music is just one of these creative fields, and cities with the City of Music title help make sure music stays an important part of life in their towns.

Cities of Music values

The UNESCO Creative City Network helps cities use creativity to help everyone. This network has cities that focus on arts, like music, design, and film.

About the cities

In March 2006, Seville became the first City of Music. Soon after, Bologna joined too.

Seville is famous for its Flamenco performances, which UNESCO thinks are very important to culture.

Hamamatsu is where well-known musical instrument companies like Yamaha, Kawai, and Roland started. The city also has a Museum of Musical Instruments.

Liverpool is where The Beatles began. The city got its title because music is very important there. UNESCO liked how Liverpool focuses on music education for young people.

Other cities like Idanha-a-Nova, Ghent, and Auckland, also have this special title.

In Adelaide, new laws helped protect music venues. This kept live music going in the city centre.

Gwalior in India is home to the Gwalior Gharana, a school of classical music that changed how khayal singing is done today.

Cities of Music

As of 2024, there are 75 special cities around the world called Cities of Music. These cities use music to help their communities grow and thrive. Nine countries have two of these special music cities, and six countries have three. Only one country, Colombia, has four Cities of Music.

The Cities of Music are: