UNESCO Designates 58 New Creative Cities — Lucknow Honoured for Gastronomy
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay has announced the designation of 58 new cities as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), expanding the network’s reach to 408 cities across 118 countries. These cities have been recognized for their strong commitment to placing culture, creativity, and sustainable development at the heart of their urban strategies.
Among the newly designated cities, Lucknow (India) has been honoured as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, highlighting its rich culinary heritage and deep-rooted food traditions that blend Mughal, Awadhi, and local flavours. This recognition positions Lucknow alongside other global gastronomic hubs, reinforcing India’s growing presence in the international creative landscape.
UNESCO Creative Cities demonstrate that culture and creative industries can be concrete drivers of development. By welcoming 58 new cities, we are strengthening a Network where creativity supports local initiatives, attracts investment, and promotes social cohesion.
— UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay
The newly designated cities represent diverse creative fields — including music, film, design, literature, media arts, crafts, folk art, and gastronomy. They will join forces with existing members to exchange knowledge, promote cultural diversity, and advance innovation-driven urban development.
UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network, established in 2004, aims to strengthen cooperation among cities that prioritize creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban growth.
New Theme: Architecture
This year, a new theme, Architecture, has been added to the seven existing ones: Crafts and Folk Art, Media Arts, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, and Music. Cities designated for Architecture stand out for their active commitment to culture and creativity, as well as their innovative approaches to urban planning.
The Prime Minister expresses his Happiness
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his happiness over Lucknow being designated as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. He stated that Lucknow embodies a vibrant culture, with its rich culinary tradition at the core. The Prime Minister emphasized that UNESCO’s recognition highlights this unique aspect of the city and encouraged people from around the world to visit Lucknow and experience its distinctiveness.
Source: UNESCO
— The CitiTimes editor promotes the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
CitiTimes 