Hamamatsu (Japan) will hold the “2015 World Creative City Forum in Hamamatsu” from on 4 to 5 December 2015.  UNESCO Creative Cities of Music will gather in Hamamatsu to present case studies at the global level during the 2-day Forum. Mr. Jack Lang, former France’s Minister of Culture, will participate as the keynote speaker joined by Mr. Koichiro Matsuura, former Director-General of UNESCO, who will present a special session on the realization of cultural diversity through music.

The Forum will be a precious occasion to listen to and debate with renowned speakers’ with heterogeneous backgrounds such as Hiroyuki Ito, who introduced the virtual idol “Hatsune Miku” to the world; Donny Gruendler, one of the leaders of musical education in America; Hiroaki Ide, the pioneer of Sound Design; as well as engineers and musical instrument manufacturers from Yamaha, Kawai and Roland. Moreover, a tour of the Hamamatsu Museum of Musical Instruments, which collects and studies musical instruments from around the world, and a folk music concert, will be organized.

This forum will not only be a valuable opportunity to understand the importance of world cultural diversity through music, but also to explore the connection between local culture and industry. Moreover, after the two-day forum, the participants will be invited to enjoy the final performance of the 9th Hamamatsu International Piano Competition attended by 449 applicants from 42 countries.