Glasgow Wins Place In UN Cultural Network

Music-Rich Glasgow Wins Place In UN Cultural Network Of Cities

Glasgow has been declared a City of Music by the United Nations culture agency, joining its neighbour Edinburgh on its Creative Cities Network, established to promote social, economic and cultural development.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (<"http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=29008&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html">UNESCO) made the announcement yesterday at a ceremony attended by a number of parliamentary dignitaries and hosted by the Lord Provost of Glasgow.

In preparing for 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 the music business contributes around $150 million a year to Glasgow’s economy, UNESCO said in a press release today.

“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 UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura.

Glasgow is the 12th city to join the Creative Cities Network, following Bologna and Seville as an official city of music.

“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,” UNESCO said.

ENDS

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