The annual meeting of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) Media Arts Subgroup is being held in the capital, organized by the City Hall of Tbilisi, on 27-29 May, with representatives from more than 20 cities worldwide.
The event was opened by Andrea Basilaya, Deputy Mayor of the capital, who spoke to the audience about the importance of cooperation, the sharing of experience, and cultural dialogue between cities.
“I believe that collaboration, experience-sharing, and cultural dialogue between cities is not only important for developing creative industries, but also for creating a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable urban future. Culture is the universal language that creates a natural connection between people, cities, and nations. Culture can bring people from different experiences, traditions, and perspectives together to facilitate mutual understanding and to open doors that are often closed for formal dialogue and formal communication. “Cultural cooperation creates trust, strengthens partnership and reminds us that despite our differences, we are united by our common values and the desire to create a common future,” said the Deputy Mayor of Tbilisi.
The agenda of this year’s meeting brings together UNESCO Media Arts Creative Cities representatives, artists, curators, cultural leaders, and creative professionals to discuss the future of media art, modern urban development, digital creativity, and international collaboration during the conference.
Also, the program includes strategic working sessions and cultural activities that showcase Tbilisi’s modern creative potential and cultural identity. Participants will attend subgroup work meetings, presentations by Georgian media artists, networking meetings with local creative communities, and visit cultural and urban spaces of Tbilisi. During the visit, the guests will be hosted by the Georgian Innovation and Technology Agency.
The UNESCO Network of Creative Cities was established in 2004 and brings together cities that consider creativity as a basis for sustainable urban development. Media Arts subgroup unites cities that are creating the cities of the future through digital creativity, new technology, and artistic experimentation.
In recent years, Tbilisi has been actively developing its policy to support creative industries, and it considers culture and innovation as one of the main driving forces of urban development. Since 2019, the program of Tbilisi City Hall “Creative Tbilisi” has supported many projects in the field of design, publishing, modern visual art, cultural entrepreneurship, and digital experimentation.
As a member city of the UNESCO Media Arts Network, hosting this conference for Tbilisi is another important recognition of its growing international role and highlights the city’s positioning as a regional hub for creative innovation and cultural collaboration. The meeting will create new opportunities for international creative collaboration and will once again emphasize the importance of media art in modern cultural and urban transformation.
