Kozhikode to vie for UNESCO ‘City of Literature’ distinction

What is the News?

Kozhikode has been proposed by the Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA) to be branded as a ‘City of Literature’ under the UNESCO Creative Cities Network(UCCN).

Why has Kozhikode been proposed as the City of Literature?

Kozhikode has a legacy of writers such as Vaikom Mohammed Basheer, Sanjayan, S.K. Pottekkatt, M.T. Vasudevan Nair, N.N. Kakkad, and U.A. Khader. 

Adding to this is the presence of literary publications such as the Mathrubhumi weekly, a vast network of libraries and annual literary events such as the Kerala Literature Festival.

What is UNESCO Creative Cities Network(UCCN)?

Launched in: 2004 by UNESCO.

Aim: To promote cooperation among cities that recognized creativity as a major factor in their urban development.

Categories: The Network covers seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Arts, Media Arts, Film, Design, Gastronomy, Literature and Music.

Which Indian cities are part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)?

Chennai and Varanasi – Cities of music,

Jaipur – City of crafts and folk arts,

Mumbai – City of film,

Hyderabad – City of gastronomy and,

Srinagar – City of Crafts and Folk Arts.

Source: ​​This post is based on an article “Kozhikode to vie for UNESCO ‘City of Literature’ distinction” published in The Hindu on 29th March 2022.