Should culture be at the heart of sustainable development? 

Let me rephrase that. Why should culture be at the heart of sustainable development?

Culture is who we are. What we do. What we aspire to fulfill. The arts, books and cultural heritage are aspects of creativity, that allow us to grow. 

The Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments (facilitated by UCLG) acknowledges the need to explicitly include culture in the paradigm of sustainable cities and contends that, culture will be key in the success of sustainable development policies, as driver and enabler of development and people-centered societies. A holistic and integrated approach to development needs to take creativity, heritage, knowledge and diversity into account. Poverty is not just a question of material conditions and income, but also of lack of capabilities and opportunities, including in cultural terms. 

The United Nations contends that, without culture, there is no future for cities. 

Perhaps now we understand why it is possible for cities to degenerate and ‘die’. Vitality, meaning, identity and innovation, are crucial, like a breathe of fresh air for cities. This comes from Culture. Creativity. Crafts. 

As 2022 comes to an end, I would like to recap moments this year that make a case for why culture is so important to revitalise cities. 

A GREEK INSCRIPTION IN FRANKFURT

ΠΛΕΩΝ ΕΠΙ ΟΙΝΟΠΑ ΠΟΝΤΟΝ ΕΠ ΑΛΛΟΘΡΟΟΥΣ ΑΝΘΡΩΠΟΥΣ

While sailing over the wine-dark sea to men of strange speech…

Over the River Main, on the Eiserner Steg an inscription lies on a bridge arch. No one really knew what it was so I asked the lady at the boat ride ticket counter what it meant. She said, « I am not sure but it is old Greek about how the waters of the world bring all people together. » 

I thought that was lovely so I researched the inscription. Turned out the quote is actually from Homer’s Odyssey - a Greek motto chosen to commemorate the Museumsuferfest in 2001, when Greece was the guest country of the Frankfurter Buchmesse 2022. 

The inscription is believed to have been chosen for the bridge as a tribute to Frankfurt's diverse population. It signifies how people traverse big bodies of water to come together in cities we build. 

A capsule of humanity thought leadership to spark appreciation of diversity. 

CONVERSATIONS IN PENANG

This year I was invited as a panelist as well as a moderator at the Georgetown Literary Festival - a proud moment for me as I always felt - I need to be featured at the GTLF to be considered a serious writer! 

On stage and off stage, I met a delightful array of people - Dr Kathrina Abu Bakar from Brunei, activist Nandar from Myanmar, writer of Semua Ikan di Langit Ziggy Zezsyazeoviennazabrizkie from Indonesia, the amazing Saqina Latiff and so many more including of course Pauline Fan and Eddin Khoo, the towering duo behind GTLF this year. 

The conversations from animal protection to humanity, from the danger of losing our folklores were sincere, deepfelt and REAL. 

THE BUTTERFLIES OF ISTANBUL

Istanbul is a magical city where serendipity is allowed to dance in every meeting, every moment, every moment of inspiration.

I was greeted like a dream by butterflies when I arrived in Istanbul. Butterfly in the city. At the Al Fateh Panorama museum. And in the museum that realized the book of the famous writer Orhan Pamuk, the Museum of Innocence.

The memories in Istanbul are like a beautiful journey with no end, lingering in my mind and inviting me back to its fold. Cruising the historic Bosphorus. The Spice Bazaar and Grand Bazaar where I picked up souvenirs that brought Istanbul back into my home.

Simply magical.

BORNEO CULTURES MUSEUM IN KUCING

This magnificent museum symbolizes the importance of cultural diversity in driving the tourism industry in Sarawak.

 A visitor needs a full day to visit the five-story museum where each floor is a specialty:

This museum places Sarawak as a Cultural Capital Destination in the region. With wired digital application, this Museum is one of the attractions in addition to the various efforts of the State Government which is 'aggressive' in leading the Sarawak tourism industry while also raising the national tourism industry.

The culture of experiential hospitality in this urban city is an incentive to keep coming back again in the future. But a lot can be learned from a city like Istanbul, for example, where the tourism industry is the heart and driving force of the city, the flesh and blood of the city's citizens as well as cultural activists and writers making a living in the city connecting the two continents.

Giving life to the city based on art, culture, literature and history. 

Ninot Aziz is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav.

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