Daily News Analysis

Kozhikode - UNESCO City of Literature

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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

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