UNESCO Creative City of Music Daegu Global Forum 2025

The City of Daegu hosted the 2025 UNESCO Creative City of Music Daegu Global Forum on October 17 at the Daegu Arts Factory, aiming to strengthen collaboration and cultural solidarity among UNESCO Creative Cities. More than 100 participants from 21 cities in 15 countries gathered to discuss and celebrate the theme, “Remembering Global Freedom and Peace through Music.”

Since being designated a UNESCO City of Music in 2017, Daegu has actively promoted international cultural exchange through partnerships with cities within the network. This year, as part of the 2025–2026 Korea-Japan-China Cultural Exchange Year, Daegu collaborated with Kyoto (Japan) and Changsha (China) to broaden cultural dialogue.

The forum opened with a creative stage featuring Daegu, Kyoto, and Changsha, and continued with expert presentations, case studies and panel discussions from UNESCO Creative Cities, cultural exchange programs, and special events.

Speakers included Ms. Hyeon-sook Seo, Director of the UNESCO Korean National Commission; Slađana Miočić, Head of Economic Affairs, Varaždin, Croatia; and Anna Isola, Deputy Coordinator of the Music Cluster in the UCCN, who highlighted music’s role in society and peace. Representatives from Creative Cities worldwide—including Germany, Ireland, Malaysia, Türkiye, Estonia, and Thailand—shared cultural experiences and explored strategies for international collaboration.

The “Desserts Connecting Korea, Japan and China” program offered participants a chance to enjoy traditional desserts from the three countries while fostering informal cultural exchange and mutual understanding.

After the forum, participants attended a special event at The Hyundai Daegu, featuring traditional attire experiences and music performances by UNESCO Cities of Music, including Adelaide (Australia), London (Canada), and Belfast (Ireland). The program blended traditional and contemporary arts, bridging Eastern and Western cultures.

The forum demonstrated how music can transform memory and history into artistic expression, promoting peace, empathy, and global solidarity among citizens beyond city networks.

Jae-sung Lee, Director General of Daegu’s Culture, Sports, and Tourism Bureau, said:
“The 2025 UNESCO Creative City of Music Daegu Global Forum served as a meaningful platform for empathy and collaboration through the arts, going beyond a conventional conference. Daegu will continue to play an active role at the heart of the global network of UNESCO Creative Cities of Music.”