Kozhikode: UNESCO’s New ‘City of Literature’

UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network (UCCN)

• 2004: Established the network of cities

• Purpose: Supports sustainable urban development through creativity.

• Fields of Creativity: Includes literature, music, crafts, design, film, gastronomy, and media arts.

Indian Cities in the UCCN

• Kozhikode for literature, Gwalior for music, along with Varanasi, Srinagar, and Chennai also recognized for music and crafts.

Significance of the ‘City of Literature’ Title for Kozhikode:

• Literary Hub: A center for publishers, libraries, and cultural activities.

• Historical Milestone: Birthplace of the first Malayalam novel in 1887.

• Cultural Influence: Home to renowned writers, filmmakers, and theater artists.

Commitments of Member Cities

• Reporting: Cities must submit a Membership Monitoring Report every four years.

• Action Planning: Present plans and assess the impact of their cultural initiatives.

Why in News:

• UNESCO has recently named Kozhikode as  ‘city of literature’ under their Creative Cities Network.