Kozhikode Becomes India’s First UNESCO City of Literature

Kozhikode is a beautiful and vibrant city in north Kerala and has us all thrilled with its latest achievement in the field of literature. The city is known for its many libraries and has recently firmly cemented its place in the literary world by becoming India’s first UNESCO ‘City of Literature’. This recognition is meant to showcase the rich cultural and literary heritage of the old and charming city. For those who still don’t get it, here is more info on the latest event that has transpired in our literary world.

Joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network

It was in the month of October 2023 that Kozhikode earned the much coveted and prestigious spot in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) falling under the ‘Literature’ category. The accolade however was officially given during the 16th annual UCCN conference in Braga, Portugal, which was attended by Kozhikode’s Mayor Beena Philip and the Corporation Secretary K.U. Bini, who were there representing the city among various delegates from over 350 UNESCO Creative Cities worldwide.

New Additions to the UCCN

Kozhikode, along with Gwalior, is one of the 55 new cities that have been welcomed into the UCCN. The announcement regarding this was made on World Cities Day (October 31) and it acknowledged these cities for their commitment to incorporating culture and creativity into their urban development strategies and plans. The various cities on the list were praised for their novel approaches to human-centered urban planning, and for focusing on development without a compromise on the cultural spirit of the city.

About Kozhikode

Kozhikode, or Calicut as it was previously known is a city that has deep historical and cultural roots. The city was once an ancient trading hub, and one may have read many accounts of it in our history books. It is the same city where the famous Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama had landed in 1498. All these years Kozhikode has not only managed to chalk some major developments in terms of modern urban planning and advancements, but also managed to retain most of its cultural, historical, literary, and coastal charm. This makes it a unique city in every way – offering a dose of everything to its people and visitors.

Attractions

Among the many attractions of the city are picturesque beaches like the Kozhikode beach and Beypore beach which lend it a quaint coastal charm. Many visitors to the city can be seen frolicking on the beaches to enjoy the eye-catching sunsets and marvel at the traditional wooden boat craftsmanship. But that’s not all, the city is also famous for its world-renowned Malabar cuisine which is known to bring together aromatic spices and delectable seafood in the most tasty and mouth-watering combinations.

Kozhikode’s Literary Legends

Kozhikode’s literary history doesn’t need much introduction. It is home to literary giants such as S K Pottakkad and Vaikom Muhammad Basheer. Historically known as the city of Zamorins, Kozhikode has welcomed many foreign traders and explorers, including those from Persia, Arab, China, and Europe, making it a cultural melting pot, thus resulting in a cosmopolitan culture that is also inherently reflected in its literature.

Literary Activities

The city has been a center for literary activities for many decades, with over 500 libraries operating within the city. It has hosted numerous book festivals and has been the base for legendary Malayalam writer M T Vasudevan Nair. The city’s literary history goes back to the 10th century at the very least. One look at the literature and we can see just how varied its literary landscape is. It is one that not just includes fiction, knowledge, and culinary arts, but also food-based literature amongst other genres.

Inclusivity in Literature

The city loves to take care of the literary needs of its residents and it does so with an inclusive approach so that the benefits are gained by one and all. It is for this reason, that it also boasts of libraries catering specifically to the blind. Its people thrive on the written word and that is how a recent survey revealed a surprising interest in literature among various groups in Kozhikode, including housewives, unemployed individuals, and professionals like doctors. If this does not suggest a widespread love for literature across different societal strata, then what else does?

City of Literature Day

Keeping in mind the latest developments, Mayor M. Beena Philip has announced that June 23 will be celebrated annually as “City of Literature Day”. This will be to honour the city’s literary achievements and thereby foster further cultural development. Also, to celebrate and promote literary talent, Kozhikode will present six categories of awards during an annual cultural festival. These will include awards for:

1. Comprehensive Contribution

2. Women Writers

3. Young Writers

4. Children’s Literature

5. Translations from Malayalam to Other Languages

6. Translations from Other Languages to Malayalam

Future Prospects and Opportunities

This UNESCO recognition is a beam of hope for all literature lovers and now because of it, there will be numerous new opportunities for Kozhikode to develop its literary scene and take its cultural heritage further. As the first Indian city to receive this honour, Kozhikode sets an example for other cities to celebrate and promote their literary traditions, and follow its lead in creating a unique city with a unique charm.

The designation not just honours Kozhikode’s past contributions to Malayalam literature but also makes it possible for it to have future growth in various fields and international collaboration in the literary arts. The city already has plans in place to leverage this status and promote cultural tourism in this regard. It is also planning to expand its literary circuit and plans to connect significant literary landmarks from Thunjath Ezhuthachan’s Tirur to Vaikom Muhammad Basheer’s Beypore.

The welcome move is expected to further attract writers, scholars, and literary enthusiasts from around the world, which in turn will foster cultural exchange and enrich the city’s cultural tapestry.

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