Kozhikode, a city in north Kerala known for its rich cultural heritage, has been officially declared as India’s first UNESCO ‘City of Literature’. This prestigious recognition, announced in October 2023, places Kozhikode in the esteemed UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) under the ‘Literature’ category.
State Local Self Government Department (LSGD) Minister, M B Rajesh, made the official announcement at an event, highlighting the city’s unique character. Rajesh described Kozhikode as a city with a soul, marked by humanity, harmony, a strong sense of justice, and freedom of expression. “These core values have given birth to the vibrant art of Kozhikode,” he said.
The minister emphasized the efficient functioning of the Kozhikode city corporation, which played a crucial role in securing the ‘City of Literature’ tag, surpassing other culturally rich cities like Kolkata. In celebration of this achievement, the state government declared June 23 as the ‘City of Literature’ Day, starting next year. On this day, special awards will be announced in six categories, further promoting the city’s literary heritage.
Tourism Minister P A Mohammed Riyas unveiled the logo of the ‘City of Literature’ by UNESCO during the event. Additionally, Rajesh visited the house of Jnanpith awardee M T Vasudevan Nair and presented the Diamond Jubilee award instituted by the Kozhikode city corporation.
Historically known as the city of Zamorins, and as Calicut during British rule, Kozhikode served as a gateway to the coast for many foreigners, including Persians, Arabs, Chinese, and Europeans. The city has also been a cradle of the freedom movement in Kerala and an important destination for book festivals for many decades.
Kozhikode boasts over 500 libraries and has been the base of literary activities for legendary Malayalam writer M T Vasudevan Nair for several decades. The city’s vibrant literary scene and cultural activities have earned it this prestigious recognition from UNESCO.
Kozhikode, along with Gwalior from India, is among the 55 new cities that joined the UCCN. Gwalior was recognized in the ‘Music’ category. These cities were acknowledged for their strong commitment to harnessing culture and creativity as part of their development strategies and for displaying innovative practices in human-centred urban planning.
With the latest additions, the UCCN now includes 350 cities in more than a hundred countries, representing seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts, and Music. The newly designated Creative Cities are invited to participate in the 2024 UCCN Annual Conference in Braga, Portugal, under the theme ‘Bringing Youth to the Table for the Next Decade’.
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Kozhikode’s recognition as India’s first UNESCO ‘City of Literature’ is a testament to its rich literary heritage and cultural significance. This achievement not only honors the city’s past but also paves the way for a future filled with literary and cultural vibrancy.