Developing a draft common festival framework for Creative Cities

VHO - On December 5, in Hanoi, the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports organized the Conference "Festival in the Creative City" with the theme "Building the future - Good practices and development frameworks from Hanoi and the UNESCO Creative Cities Network".

The Ao Dai Tourism Festival is a special highlight on Hanoi's creative journey. Photo: Nhan Dan Newspaper

After more than 6 years of becoming a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, Hanoi has implemented many activities to concretize its commitment to building a Creative City, gradually affirming its position as one of the dynamic and creative cities in Asia.

The city has promoted innovative design activities and expanded cooperation opportunities with cities in the Network.

In 2024, Hanoi will establish an Advisory Council of Experts, develop criteria and spaces for creative activities; launch the Hanoi Creative Activities Coordination Center; and form a Network of Creative Cultural Spaces connecting organizations, individuals, experts, artists and communities operating in the field of creative design.

In addition, the City focuses on attracting and connecting domestic and international creative resources; introducing and supporting the development of the creative community; the highlight is organizing the Hanoi Creative Design Festival - an event that is gradually becoming the brand of the Capital .

Speaking at the Conference, Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports Bach Lien Huong emphasized: “These good results are thanks to the City receiving the attention, support and advice of many good experts in the field of creative design. We deeply appreciate those contributions and companionship.”

Mr. Jonathan Baker, UNESCO Representative in Vietnam, affirmed: Hanoi's recognition as a Creative City in the field of Design has opened a new chapter, where creativity becomes a key driving force for development.

Mr. Jonathan Baker, UNESCO Representative in Vietnam, spoke at the Conference

Over the years, Hanoi has nurtured a dynamic creative ecosystem with festivals that enliven public spaces, community networks and initiatives that empower young designers, according to Jonathan Baker .

“A creative festival may only last a week or a season, but its impact is long-lasting. It brings people together, invites communities to revitalize public spaces, gives young people a voice, and helps the City express its identity and aspirations for the future,” said Jonathan Baker.

Under the theme “Building the Future: Good Practices and Frameworks from Hanoi and the UNESCO Creative Cities Network”, case studies from Dundee, Bandung, Daegu, Singapore, Kobe, Nagoya, Wuhan and other cities help to paint a diverse picture of how cities around the world are using festivals as a tool for sustainable development.

Art program at the Conference

Many of the presentations focused on how cities coordinate resources – from government, private sector to community – to sustain festivals for the long term.

Another focus is on expanding access for youth, people with disabilities and local communities, making the festival a place where all groups can participate and create.

Cities also shared how they design urban experiences through leveraging public spaces, open exhibition models, interactive installations and digital platforms to reinvent cultural experiences.

At the same time, discuss ways to measure the cultural - social - economic impact of festivals, considering this an important factor to convince policymakers and build long-term development strategies.

One of the important contents of the Conference was that experts discussed and drafted a common festival framework for Creative Cities - not a rigid template, but a flexible orientation so that cities can adjust to suit their own cultural identity and development aspirations, in an inclusive and sustainable manner.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/xay-dung-du-thao-khung-le-hoi-chung-cho-cac-thanh-pho-sang-tao-186039.html