Cologne joins World Cities Culture Forum
The German city on the Rhine, rich in Roman heritage, joins our global network of civic leaders
Cologne, one of Germany’s major cultural capitals, has joined World Cities Culture Forum’s network of 40+ cities.
City leaders in Cologne will work alongside counterparts from more than 40 cities, including Bengaluru, Buenos Aires, Hamburg, London, New York and Tokyo to place culture at the heart of the city’s growth and investment. The city will also feature in the World Cities Culture Report 2025, the most comprehensive dataset for culture and cities with 65 indicators, published every three years.
Stefan Charles, Cologne’s Deputy Mayor for Fine Arts and Culture, said:
“This is a significant step for our city, which not only gives us the opportunity to showcase our cultural successes worldwide, but also to learn from other cities and further develop our cultural landscape.”
Stefan Charles, Deputy Mayor for Fine Arts and Culture, City of Cologne, said:
“We are delighted that Cologne will be part of World Cities Culture Forum. This is a significant step for our city, which not only gives us the opportunity to showcase our cultural successes worldwide, but also to learn from other cities and further develop our cultural landscape. For Cologne, inclusion in the Forum is an extraordinary opportunity to position itself on the global stage. The city can now present its rich cultural scene internationally and compare itself with other major cities.”
Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, London; Founder and Chair, World Cities Culture Forum, said:
“I’m delighted that Cologne, one of Germany’s major cultural capitals, has joined our leading network of global creative cities and civic leaders. Culture is an essential ingredient in the success of cities, bringing together communities and helping to drive fair and prosperous cities. Through the World Cities Culture Forum, we are using the power of culture to tackle the challenges of the 21st century. We look forward to working closely with Cologne to support its growth as a global capital for culture.”
About Cologne
Cologne’s 2,000-year history spans from Roman origins and medieval trade, to the Napoleonic era and Prussian statehood, shaping a rich cultural heritage. The city’s most famous landmark, the medieval Cologne Cathedral, dominates the skyline, with Gothic spires rising 157 meters, making it the third tallest church in the world.
Despite severe World War II destruction, Cologne was extensively rebuilt from 1945. The cultural and economic revival during this period, helped attract prominent figures like artists Sigmar Polke, Gerhard Richter, Heinrich Böll, and Hilde Domin.
Today, Cologne is renowned for its multiculturalism and vibrant arts scene. International festivals like lit.COLOGNE and ART COLOGNE showcase the city’s cosmopolitan spirit.
A media and creative hub, Cologne supports thriving industries in film, broadcasting, games, design, and IT. Home to over one million citizens, the city hosts around 6,500 media and creative companies, generating €9.5 billion annually and employing about 60,000 people.
Cologne’s collection of over 100 museums traces its heritage through the ages. The Museum Ludwig features one of the most extensive Pop Art collections outside the USA, while the Museum of East Asian Art is Germany’s oldest of its kind.
The City of Cologne is committed to provenance research for art and cultural assets. Since 2007, a dedicated team has reviewed items in city museums to ensure rightful ownership. In 2022, Cologne repatriated 92 Benin bronzes to Nigeria.
Read about Cologne’s culture, including trends, infrastructure and city policies.
