Daegu Builds Musical Bridges with Hannover and Belgium

As a UNESCO Creative City of Music since 2017, Daegu has continued to expand its international cultural engagement through the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). In October and November 2026, the network served as a valuable platform for strengthening musical ties between Daegu and its partner cities, Hannover in Germany and Ghent in Belgium. Through these connections, European musicians visited or will visit Daegu to perform, exchange ideas and build new artistic relationships.

Daegu and Hannover: Sharing Music Across Borders

The October programme brought together three musical representatives from Hannover, creating opportunities for artistic exchange across a range of musical genres and disciplines.

The Mädchenchor Hannover (Hannover Girls’ Choir) opened the programme with a concert at Ubong Art Hall on October 19. Renowned for its rich choral tradition and extensive repertoire spanning from the Renaissance to contemporary music, the choir introduced Daegu audiences to the diversity and richness of German choral music.

The exchange extended beyond the concert stage. On October 20, Hans-Christian Euler, a conductor from Hannover, joined the World Orchestra Festival Symposium at Daegu Concert House as a guest speaker, sharing his professional insights and contributing to discussions on orchestral music and international cooperation.

Another highlight followed on October 22, when Duo Maliki, featuring vocalist Chiara Raimondi and multi-instrumentalist Markus Korda, took the stage at Daegu Culture and Arts Center. Their programme, Melodies Without Borders, explored a diverse musical landscape encompassing jazz, European folk traditions, tango, Latin music and gypsy jazz. The performance also featured a special collaboration with Daegu-based world music ensemble VIA TRIO, bringing artists from the two cities together for a shared musical experience.

Daegu and Belgium: Exploring New Musical Possibilities

Continuing its international exchange initiatives, Daegu will welcome two Belgian musical acts in November, further strengthening its connections within the UNESCO Cities of Music network.

On November 12, Crossbones Trombones, a professional five-member trombone ensemble based in Ghent, will perform at Daegu Culture and Arts Center. Through creative arrangements of classical works, film scores and popular favourites, the ensemble will showcase the versatility and expressive possibilities of the trombone.

The Belgian programme will continue on November 13 with a piano recital by Daniel Verstappen at Biwon Music Hall. The Belgian pianist and composer will present his distinctive musical style, blending classical piano traditions with contemporary influences.

Building Lasting Connections Through the UCCN

These activities highlight the role of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as a practical platform for international cultural cooperation, transforming connections between member cities into meaningful opportunities for artists and audiences alike.

Through its ongoing partnerships, Daegu continues to foster artistic encounters between local and international musicians, expand opportunities for creative collaboration and bring diverse musical cultures to local audiences.

Looking ahead, Daegu welcomes opportunities to connect with cities around the world through music. Cities interested in developing musical partnerships with Daegu, UNESCO City of Music, are warmly invited to get in touch. Together, we can foster sustainable international partnerships, create new opportunities for artistic exchange and build lasting connections through music.