(From L) Shenzhen Party chief Wang Rong, Davidson L. Hepburn, president of the General Conference of UNESCO, Zhang Xinsheng, president of China Education Association For International Exchange, Galia Saouma-Forero, director of the Division of Cultural Expressions and Creative Industries of UNESCO, and Shenzhen Mayor Xu Qin at the opening ceremony of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network conference in Shenzhen yesterday.

Nicolaus has been living in Shenzhen for three years, and he finds himself increasingly attracted by the cultural vibe of the city.

Visitors view the exhibition of the creative city network member cities at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Creative Cities Network 2010 Shenzhen International Conference in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Dec. 7, 2010. A series of activities such dialogues and exhibitions will be held during the conference. The Creative Cities Network connects cities who want to share experience, ideas and best practices for culture, social and economic developments worldwide. The network is divided into seven categories including literature, film, music, carfts and folk art, design, media arts, and gastronomy. (Xinhua/Wang Haoming)

He also suggests that getting the general public more involved in art creation is crucial for Shenzhen.