Mayor pays tribute to the people of Kyiv as the city joins the World Cities Culture Forum

• Kyiv will join leaders from across the globe to protect and grow culture in their cities
• Bloomberg Philanthropies, City Hall and the City of Edinburgh Council have provided the funding for Kyiv to join the leading network for culture in global cities

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today paid tribute to the strength and resilience of the people of Kyiv as he welcomed the city into the World Cities Culture Forum.

The Ukrainian capital has been invited to join the global network of leaders following funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies, London’s City Hall and the City of Edinburgh Council, which is twinned with Kyiv. 

It will allow leaders in Kyiv to work alongside counterparts from more than 40 cities, including London, Lagos, New York, Tokyo and Buenos Aires, as it places culture at the heart of rebuilding its city.

Throughout the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Kyiv‘s citizens have found solace in cultural spaces, including museums and libraries. As a partner of the forum, Kyiv leaders will learn from other cities to help inspire its work to rebuild the city and its cultural spaces, while global cities will learn from Kyiv’s resilience in response to crisis and the role that culture plays in times of conflict, as well as its role in rebuilding the city.

The Forum, which spans six continents, was founded in 2012 to help global cities work together and learn from one another to put culture at the heart of their future planning and investment. It is based on the principle that culture is proven to help support communities, improve health and wellbeing, attract tourists and boost the economy. 

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “The people of Ukraine have shown incredible strength and resilience in the face of a shocking attack against their country. Kyiv has stood firm as the nation’s capital and we have seen how the people of the city have used culture to support one another during this terrible time. I’m pleased to welcome representatives from the city to the World Cities Culture Forum to help them place culture at the heart of their rebuilding and help us learn from their experiences, as we work to build a better London for all.”

The Mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, said: “Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Kyiv’s cultural institutions have been forced to face new challenges. I am grateful for your support that will allow the city of Kyiv to join the World Cities Culture Forum. I am confident that participation in the Forum will be an opportunity not only to gain valuable experience from colleagues around the world but also to share our newly acquired strategies for cultural management in times of crisis.”

Vadym Prystaiko, Ambassador of Ukraine to the UK, said: “Kyiv joining the World Cities Culture Forum opens up a wide array of possibilities for our capital to build up cultural links with other cities throughout the world. I also want to emphasize that our UK friends’ support in facilitating Kyiv’s admission to the Forum wove yet another thread in the fabric linking our two countries thus making the bond stronger and our peoples closer to each other.”

Justine Simons OBE, London’s Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, said: “Culture touches all aspects of our lives, bringing together communities and helping to drive economies. The World Cities Culture Forum is a global network of creative cities and civic leaders – all passionate about the transformational power of culture. Together we are meeting the challenges of the 21st century by placing culture at the heart of civic planning and investment. I am so delighted that Kyiv will be joining us.

Kate D. Levin, Arts Program Lead at Bloomberg Philanthropies, said: “Preserving cultural patrimony is essential, and mayors play a key role in stewarding the institutions, artists and events that define community identity.  Joining the World Cities Culture Forum will provide Kyiv with a vital network of leaders in cities around the world to share strategies, resources and support in accomplishing this mission.”

The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge, said: “Throughout Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine, the people of Edinburgh have reached out with their hearts and their homes. Over 10,000 Ukrainians seeking refuge in Scotland have arrived through our Welcome Hub, with over 3,000 currently residing in Edinburgh. Countless journeys from Edinburgh have been made to the edge of the warzone to deliver donations - from essential supplies, to sandbags to protect Kyiv’s beautiful historical statues. Our support of Kyiv’s World Cities Culture Forum membership is a further reinforcement of our on-going solidarity.  Since Edinburgh’s twinning with Kyiv began in 1989, we have championed its role as one of the world’s greatest capitals of culture. We must continue to do what we can as a partner to protect and rebuild.”