Kozhikode Joins UNESCO Creative Cities Network as City of Literature
Kozhikode, a city in Kerala, India, has been designated as a UNESCO City of Literature, joining the prestigious UNESCO Creative Cities Network. The announcement was made on World Cities Day, with UNESCO recognizing Kozhikode’s strong commitment to culture and creativity in its development strategies.
According to UNESCO, the newly designated cities, including Kozhikode and Gwalior from India, have demonstrated innovative practices in human-centered urban planning, leading to their inclusion in the Creative Cities Network. Gwalior, located in Madhya Pradesh, earned its place in the ‘Music’ category, while Kozhikode was acknowledged for its contributions to ‘Literature.’
With these additions, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network now comprises 350 cities across more than a hundred countries, representing various creative fields such as Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts, and Music. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay emphasized the role of these cities in enhancing access to culture and leveraging creativity for urban resilience and development.
The new Creative Cities will participate in the 2024 UCCN Annual Conference scheduled to be held in Braga, Portugal, from July 1 to 5, 2024, under the theme “Bringing Youth to the Table for the Next Decade.” Additionally, an upcoming policy paper titled “The added value of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network at local, national and international level” will highlight the vital contributions made by cities towards achieving the 2030 Agenda, showcasing UNESCO’s support in fostering dialogue, peer-to-peer learning, and collaboration among UCCN members.
