UNESCO stands for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It was formed in 1945 and has 194 members states today. It manages the World Heritage Centre (which designates World Heritage Sites), promotes education for all, supports scientific research and protects cultural diversity. Back in 2004, UNESCO introduced a Creative Cities Network (UCCN). This network highlights cities that place creativity and cultural industries at the center of their development strategies and strategic plans. The "City of Music" designation is one of seven creative fields recognized by this network, which also includes: Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature and Media Arts. There are currently over 50 "Cities of Music" within this global network, and it’s been about about 5 years since London earned it designation as a UNESCO City of Music. It took almost a decade of work to get there, spread over several councils to get there. Andy still today, London is the only Canadian City to have that City of Music Destination. London is in good company by the way - other City’s of Music include: Nashville, Tennessee, Austin Texas Seville in Spain and Liverpool, England - if memory serves, that last one was the birthplace Gerry and the Pacemakers, Echo and the Bunnyman, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, The La’s - Remember There She Goes? And ah…one other band that’s on the tip of my tongue. Anyway, 2026 is a milestone of sorts for London, City Staff and Tourism London are delivering a report to a council committee later this week detailing what the city and community partners have been able to accomplish since earning the distinction and the report also includes some information on where they think council should go from here. That second - where they are recommending council go from here - is an important one because the distinction has a kind of “use it or lose” it clause. In other words if, among other things, future strategic planning doesn’t have a central focus on investing in Music, art and culture. That means that London could claim to be the first Canadian city to earn the distinction AND it would also be the first Canadian city to have it revoked. That’s the background let’s get on with the show. Over the decades, Mario Circelli has done more for the music scene in London than I can fit into an intro. To give you just a taste, he is the founder and chair of the Forest City London Music Awards which he launched in 2002 and it it continues to grow today he also founded the Forest City Music Hall of Fame. These days he Digital Creative Arts Centre at BGC - oh he founded that initiative too. We’re also joined by Ward 6 City Councillor, Sam Trosow - Sam has been a proponent for Music Art and Culture on and off Council and we’re lucky to have him here with us today.
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