On Monday, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced the incorporation of the eastern city of Santiago de Cuba into Creative Cities Network, for its musical contribution, one of the recognized categories.
The initiative promoted by the United Nations agency It recognizes the city’s commitment to placing culture at the center of development, as well as sharing knowledge and good practices.
Santiago joined the list of 295 cities in 90 countries for its musical contribution, becoming the third in Cuba belonging to this network, along with the capital, Havana, in the same category, and the central province of Sancti Spiritos in handicrafts and folk arts.
The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, noted:
“We have to develop a new urban model in every city with its architects, planners, coordinators, and citizens.”
The international organization official called for strengthening the cooperation between cities promoted by the multilateral entity and stressed the importance of promoting innovative urban policies and solutions that put people and sustainability at the center of the development process.
Other cities have joined the Creative Cities Network with Santiago de Cuba, such as the Latin American towns of Recife and Campina Grande, in Brazil, the Colombian towns of Pasto and Ibague, the Peruvian Huancayo, and Mexico’s Xalapa, among others.
“Award-winning alcohol trailblazer. Hipster-friendly internetaholic. Twitter ninja. Infuriatingly humble beer lover. Pop culture nerd.”