LALITPUR, Nepal – The ancient city of Lalitpur (Patan) is now officially a global beacon for musical heritage, having been designated a UNESCO Creative City of Music.
The announcement, made by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay on World Cities Day 2025, places Lalitpur among a group of 58 new cities joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), which now spans 408 cities across over 100 countries.
“UNESCO Creative Cities demonstrate that culture and creative industries can be concrete drivers of development. By welcoming 58 new cities, we are strengthening a Network where creativity supports local initiatives, attracts investment and promotes social cohesion.”
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay
This title celebrates Lalitpur not just as a museum of ancient art, but as a living, breathing center of sonic tradition, where music is the heartbeat of daily life and cultural expression.
A City Where Music Echoes Through the Ages
For centuries, the soundscape of Lalitpur has been defined by the sacred rhythms of the dhimay and ponga drums during festivals, the melodic chants of Newar Buddhism, and the skillful craftsmanship of traditional instruments.
This designation validates the city’s enduring commitment to preserving its intangible cultural heritage.
“This prestigious designation validates what we have always known—that Lalitpur is a city where music breathes, lives, and tells our story,” the announcement was hailed as a historic achievement for every resident and musician, and a moment of great pride for all of Nepal.
Lalitpur Joins a Diverse Global Cohort
Lalitpur finds itself in illustrious company. It now shares the “City of Music” title with new members like the jazz birthplace of New Orleans (USA), the vibrant hub of Kisumu (Kenya), and the historic city of Kyiv (Ukraine).
This year’s cohort also saw the introduction of Architecture as a new creative field, with cities like Quito (Ecuador) and Rovaniemi (Finland) leading the way.
Other notable new members include Riyadh for Design, Giza for Film, and Aberystwyth for Literature, each celebrated for a distinct cultural expertise that generates social and economic dynamism.
Did you know? With this addition, Nepal now boasts two UNESCO Creative Cities. Kathmandu was previously recognized as a City of Film, solidifying the entire valley’s status as a powerhouse of South Asian creativity.
Beyond the Honor: A Future of Creative Exchange
The designation is a starting point for immense opportunity. As part of the UCCN, Lalitpur is now plugged into a global platform for cooperation.
The city can share best practices and develop joint projects with other members, from gastronomy cities like Matosinhos (Portugal) to media arts hubs like Malang (Indonesia).
This membership paves the way for leveraging creativity to attract investment, support local musicians and instrument makers, and integrate cultural strategies into urban planning.
For tourists and culture lovers, this offers a compelling reason to visit Lalitpur with a more attentive ear.
They are invited to experience not just the visual splendor of the Patan Durbar Square but to immerse themselves in the sounds of its living heritage—from the spontaneous performances during the Gumlā Bājā festival to the timeless melodies that fill its hidden courtyards.
Explore the rich musical heritage of the Kathmandu Valley through resources like the Music Museum of Nepal and learn about the intricate process of traditional Newari instrument making.
The journey continues as all UNESCO Creative Cities are invited to the Network’s 2026 Annual Conference in Essaouira, Morocco,a City of Music since 2019, where Lalitpur will have its first major platform to share its unique rhythm with the world.
For more information visit the official on the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
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