Kozhikode - UNESCO City of Literature

Recent Recognition

• UNESCO City of Literature: In October 2023, Kozhikode, located in north Kerala, was officially declared India’s first UNESCO City of Literature.
• UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN): Kozhikode earned a place in the 'Literature' category of the UCCN, which highlights cities that value creativity and cultural industries as central to their development.

Special Celebrations

• City of Literature Day: Starting next year, June 23 will be celebrated as 'City of Literature' Day in Kozhikode, with special awards announced in six categories.

Historical and Cultural Significance

• Historical Context: Known as the city of Zamorins and Calicut during British rule, Kozhikode has been a historic gateway for many foreign traders, including Persians, Arabs, Chinese, and Europeans.
• Freedom Movement: The city was a cradle of the freedom movement in Kerala.
• Book Festivals: Kozhikode has been a prominent venue for book festivals for decades.

Literary Heritage

• Libraries: The city is home to over 500 functioning libraries.
• Notable Figures:
• M T Vasudevan Nair: A legendary Malayalam writer who has been associated with Kozhikode.
• S K Pottakkad: A celebrated Malayalam author.
• Vaikom Muhammed Basheer: Another renowned literary figure from Kozhikode.

UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)

• Launch and Objectives: Launched by UNESCO in 2004, the UCCN aims to foster cooperation among cities that recognize creativity as a key factor in their urban development.
• Fields of Recognition: Cities are designated in seven fields: Craft, Folk Art, Media Arts, Film Design, Gastronomy, Literature, and Music.
• Global Network: The network includes 350 cities across more than 100 countries.

Other Indian Cities in UCCN

• Crafts and Folk Arts: Srinagar and Jaipur.
• Films: Mumbai.
• Music: Chennai, Varanasi, and Gwalior.
• Gastronomy: Hyderabad.

Conclusion

 Kozhikode's recognition as a UNESCO City of Literature underscores its rich literary heritage and cultural significance. The city’s commitment to celebrating and advancing literary arts, alongside its historical role as a cultural and trade hub, has earned it a distinguished place in the global creative cities network