Kozhikode, UNESCO’s City of Literature | 27 Jun 2024

Source: HT

Why in News?

Recently, UNESCO recognised Kozhikode as the ‘City of Literature’ under the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).

What is the UNESCO Creative Cities Network?

• About:
  • UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) was created in 2004.
  • The network covers seven creative fields namely Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts and Music.
  • The annual conference of mayors and other stakeholders of network cities offers a unique occasion to strengthen ties between creative cities from across the world.
  • In 2024, the conference will be held in July in Braga, Portugal.
• Objective:
  • In 2024, 350 cities make up this network which aims towards a common objective of placing creativity and cultural industries at the heart of their development plans at the local level and cooperating actively at the international level.
  • The UNESCO Creative Cities aims to achieve Sustainable Development Goals 11 through innovative thinking and action to benefit communities at the urban level.
• Significance:
  • UNESCO Creative Cities pledge to share best practices and develop partnerships involving public and private sectors as well as civil society to strengthen the creation, production, and distribution of cultural activities.

Which are Indian Cities in UCCN?

• Kozhikode:
  • Kozhikode hosts many promiment personalities of Kerala's literary and cultural world, leading media houses, several libraries (over 500 libraries) and has also produced many films and theatre professionals over the years.
  • The first Malayalam novel Kundalatha was written by Appu Nedungadi in Kozhikode in 1887
  • Many renowned writers like S. K. Pottekkatt, Thikkodiyan and P. Valsala Sanjayan, along with poets, scholars, and publishers have contributed to the diversity and vibrancy of Malayalam literature and culture.
• Other Indian cities in the UCCN:
  • Jaipur: Crafts and Folk Arts (2015),
  • Varanasi: Creative City of Music (2015),
  • Chennai: Creative City of Music (2017),
  • Mumbai: Film (2019),
  • Hyderabad: Gastronomy (2019), and
  • Srinagar: Crafts and Folk Art (2021).