Excellent news for Wallonia: Liège and Andenne havebeen officially recognized by UNESCO as Creative Cities, respectively in the fields of music and crafts and folk arts.
A double distinction which rewards the cultural vitality and spirit of innovation of the Walloon territory and which now places three Walloon cities in this prestigious international network, alongside Namur, already labeled Creative City of Digital Arts since 2021.
The UNESCO Creative Cities Network: Culture as an engine for sustainable development
Created in 2004, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network brings together 408 cities in over 100 countries, spread across seven areas: crafts and folk arts, digital arts, design, film, gastronomy, literature and music.
The objective is clear: to place culture and creativity at the heart of urban policies to foster international cooperation between cities that innovate through culture. Its members commit to sharing best practices, strengthening access to cultural life, and contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
Wallifornia Music Tech c La Grand Poste
In the United Kingdom, member cities such as Liverpool, York, Perth, Edinburgh and Glasgow offer strong potential for partnerships with Wallonia’s members, opening new avenues for collaboration in design, music, and digital innovation across borders.
Liège, music as a common language
Liège's bid for City of Music was attractive thanks to its ambition and strong local roots. The entire province mobilised to promote a musical ecosystem that is rich, inclusive, and deeply open to the world.
Liège boasts numerous resources, telling the story of a city where music is a way of life on every street corner. With a rich musical heritage and a centuries-old tradition of music education, the "Cité ardente" has always made transmission and creativity an art form. Its contemporary music scene is thriving: from classical to rock, from jazz to urban music, Liège resonates with every sound. Its dynamism is embodied in iconic venues and events, from the Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège and the Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège to Les Ardentes Festival, not to mention Wallifornia Music+Tech and Jazz à Liège, which bring renown to the city far beyond its borders.
Festival Les Ardentes c Stephane Risack
What truly distinguishes Liège is its commitment to openness and inclusion: here, music is meant to be shared. Community-building projects in neighborhoods, support for amateur musicians, and even mobile stages to bring culture to rural areas... all contribute to making music a true social link and a driving force for cohesion.
Andenne, craftsmanship at the heart of local identity
Andenne has distinguished itself in the field of ceramics since the 9th century, a medieval legacy rooted in its lands rich in derle, a highly malleable white clay! Its potters have shaped the city's renown on the banks of the Meuse River over the centuries. This living heritage is embodied today in flagship initiatives such as the Andenne Ceramic Art Festival, which brings together creators from around the world, in the collections of the Ceramics Museum, guardian of this history, and in showcases of contemporary creation like Le Phare.
La ceramique d'Ardenne c Julien Bauwens
By joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, Andenne is recognizing the excellence of its artisans and its ability to create a dialogue between tradition, community organizations and innovation .
A creative Wallonia, open to the world
Beyond the prestige of the label, this recognition opens new perspectives for Wallonia. It fosters international collaborations, strengthens the global visibility of local talent and expertise, and encourages exchanges between cultural, economic, and educational stakeholders. Above all, it helps to build bridges between regions, making creativity a concrete tool for more sustainable and inclusive development.
Liège and Andenne are joining Namur, the Walloon pioneer of the network, which has already demonstrated the full impact of the label. Since its designation as a Creative City of Digital Arts in 2021, the Walloon capital has established itself as an international hub for cultural innovation. Around the KIKK Festival, a true creative hub bringing together artists, researchers, and entrepreneurs, Namur has successfully fostered dialogue between art, technology, and society while building an ecosystem recognized by UNESCO.
KIKK Festival 2023 c Quentin Chevrier
In October 2025, the city hosted the World Meeting of Digital Creative Cities, a major event that brought together representatives from all over the world. Three days of intense discussions, discoveries, and partnerships showcasing Wallonia on the international stage.
This dynamic confirms an obvious truth: creativity is a powerful driver of influence for the region, but also a source of inspiration for all cities that believe in the transformative power of culture. It is fully in line with the spirit of the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, reminding us that culture is not only a heritage to be preserved, but also a living force for innovation, dialogue, and sustainable development.
Article first published in french by Wallonia-Brussels International