SHENZHEN has set Dec. 7 as Creative Design Day in a bid to further boost Shenzhen’s “soft power” and encourage residents to be more creative.
The city was awarded the title City of Design by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Dec. 7, 2008, becoming the first Chinese city to win the honor. Since then, campaigns have been launched to encourage residents to get involved in the creative industries, city officials said.
Shenzhen proposed developing the city into a City of Design in 2004, aiming to boost economic development through the design industry after it took the lead in the nation with the slogan “Building a culture-based city.”
In 2005, the city government designated every December as Creative December, during which a variety of cultural activities are held.
Many other world cities have designated their own design day. Montreal in Canada has designated April 26 as World Graphic Design Day while Houston in the United States has set April 25 as International Design Day. Shenzhen is the first city in China to have made such a designation.
According to a motion passed by the city legislature Thursday, the city government plans to hold the opening ceremony of the annual Creative December on Dec. 7, Creative Design Day, every year.
As well as an awards ceremony for the annual residents’ design competition, winners of the Shenzhen Design Mayor’s Cup will also be announced on the day, officials said. Additionally, residents will be able to buy and sell creative works and products at a number of special markets.
(SD News)