Recently, Bengaluru has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Indian city to join the esteemed World Cities Culture Forum (WCCF).
About World Cities Culture Forum:
The World Cities Culture Forum (WCCF) was established in 2012 under the guidance of Justine Simons OBE, London’s Deputy Mayor for Culture & the Creative Industries. This global network comprises cities that collaborate on research and intelligence to explore the crucial role of culture in shaping future prosperity.
Currently, the WCCF boasts an impressive membership of 40 cities spanning six continents. With Bengaluru’s recent inclusion, it now shares the stage with metropolises like New York, London, Paris, Tokyo, and Dubai, among others.
The World Cities Culture Summit is a flagship event organized on a rotating basis by city partners. It serves as an unprecedented platform for city leaders to exchange ideas and knowledge about the significance of culture in public policy within the context of a world city.
Key Facts about Bengaluru:
- City Profile: Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore) is a megacity and the capital of the Southern state of Karnataka, India. It has earned the distinction of being the fastest-growing city in the country.
- Population: Over the years, Bengaluru’s population has witnessed an astounding surge, soaring from one million in 1950 to over 16 million in 2023.
- Silicon Valley of India: The city is widely known as the ‘Silicon Valley of India’ due to its status as the nation’s leading information technology exporter.
- Rich Cultural Heritage: Bengaluru proudly boasts a vibrant cultural scene with over 30 government and private museums that exhibit the city’s fascinating history, art, and culture.
- Latest Addition: South India’s first major private art museum, the Museum of Art and Photography (MAP), opened its doors to the public in February 2023, adding another gem to Bengaluru’s cultural landscape.
- Musical Diversity: Bengaluru stands as a rare city where both North Indian (Hindustani) and South Indian (Carnatic) classical music flourish side by side, fostering a unique musical tapestry.
- The Garden City of India: Living up to its moniker, Bengaluru is replete with green spaces, with two nationally recognized botanical gardens, Lal Bagh and Cubbon Park, serving as the city’s lungs.
Bengaluru’s induction into the World Cities Culture Forum signifies its growing importance as a global cultural hub. This membership opens up opportunities for the city to collaborate and learn from other world-class metropolises, fostering cultural enrichment and development.
