Toulouse is taking a new step in its cultural outreach strategy. During a ceremony organized at the Philharmonie de Paris on June 2, the Occitan capital has officially taken over the presidency of the French network of UNESCO Creative Cities for the next three years.
This designation comes less than three years after Toulouse obtained the label of “Creative City of Music” awarded by UNESCO. For the municipality, this new responsibility confirms the growing place of the Pink City in international cultural networks.
“This responsibility is fully part of the history of Toulouse with UNESCO”underlined Jean-Luc Moudenc during the ceremony. The mayor also praised the work carried out for several years by Enghien-les-Bains, located in Val-d’Oise, which until now chaired the French network.
An internationally oriented cultural ambition
Beyond the honorary dimension, Toulouse intends to use this presidency as a tool for cooperation between territories. The municipality wishes in particular to strengthen exchanges between member cities, develop French-speaking partnerships and encourage the circulation of artists and cultural projects.
At a time when cities play an increasing role on the international scene, culture is a lever for attractiveness and development,” believes Jean-Luc Moudenc.
The French network of Creative Cities today brings together 11 collectivités engaged in different fields, such as music, literature, cinema, gastronomy, design, crafts and even digital arts. For the next three years, Toulouse has defined a roadmap structured around three main axes.
Three priorities announced
La première priorityé vise à strengthen the structure and visibility of the French network in order to increase its influence at the national and international level. The second consists of promote concrete benefits for territories, artists and local cultural actors through collaborative projects and enhanced exchanges.
Finally, the Pink City wishes making the Francophonie a driving force for cultural cooperation between creative cities around the world. This new presidency will have its first important deadline in the fall of 2026. The UNESCO World Conference of Creative Cities will be held in Essaouirain Morocco, from November 25 to 27.
An international meeting during which Toulouse already intends to convey its vision of a territorial diplomacy based on culture, innovation and dialogue between peoples. Created in 2004, the UNESCO Creative Cities network brings together cities that place culture and creativity at the heart of their development.
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