Edinburgh To Kozhikode: How Kerala Got Onto UNESCO’s City Of Literature List

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(Source: The Hindu, 11/16/2023)

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Why in the news?

• Recently, Kozhikode was added to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as the City of Literature.
• The city which hosts the Kerala Literature Festival is also home to numerous celebrated writers and publishing houses.

How has Kozhikode been recognized?

• Kozhikode was recognized as the City of Literature and added to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in 2023.
• Following its addition to the list, Kozhikode became India’s first city of literature.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated the people of Kozhikode for this achievement.

Why has Kozhikode been recognized as the City of Literature?

• The city was recognized for its dedication to harnessing literary culture and creativity as integral components of its development strategies.
• Kerala Literature Festival: Kozhikode Beach is the permanent venue of the annual Kerala Literature Festival with the city also hosting several other book festivals throughout the year.
• Home to famous writers: Kozhikode has been home to some of the most famous authors of Malayalam literature including Sahitya Akademi award winners S K Pottekatt and M.T. Vasudevan Nair, and the Padma Shri award winner Vaikom Mohammed Basheer.
  • The first Malayalam novel Kundalatha, written by Appu Nedungadi, was born in Kozhikode in 1887.
• Theater tradition: The theatre culture of Kozhikode is vibrant and flourishing.
  • Famous playwrights like Sahitya Akademi Award winner Thikkodiyan and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award winner K.T. Muhammed.
  • The theatre tradition of Kozhikode is also closely linked to Malayalam cinema with famous actors and writers working actively in both fields.
• Libraries and reading culture: The city is also home to over 500 libraries.
  • The reading culture of the city can be understood from the large crowds attending the KLF and the love for authors.
• Contribution of radio: The Kozhikode station of All India Radio has played a significant role in building the literary culture of the city.
  • Famous lyricist P. Bhaskaran, composer K. Raghavan, author Uroob, poets Akkitham and N.N. Kakkad and Thikkodiyan have worked there and contributed to building a love of literature and reading among the public.
• Publishers: Kozhikode has the offices of numerous famous publishers which have encouraged new writers in Malayalam, thereby contributing to the language’s literary wealth.
  • The Mathrubhumi Weekly, edited by M T Vasudevan Nair, is printed in Kozhikode

How are cities added to the Creative Cities Network?

• When UNESCO opens the Calls for applications to join the Creative Cities Network, cities from UNESCO’s Member States and Associate Members may apply.
• The application should include a letter of intent signed by the Mayor of the city, a letter of support from the concerned National Commission for UNESCO, and other required documents.
• A city may be designated as a UNESCO Creative City based on its assets and capacity for culture and creativity, as well as the content, impact, and potential outreach of its proposed action plan.
• The application must demonstrate the city’s potential to contribute to the overall vision and objective of the Network, and its commitment to the mandate and priorities of UNESCO such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• The Director-General of UNESCO is responsible for the designation of the cities following an internal technical pre-screening and an external evaluation by:
  • UNESCO-designated independent experts specialized in the seven creative fields and other cultural and creative sectors, and/or urban development
  • Member cities that are representative of the seven creative fields
• Designated cities must commit to submitting the quadrennial Membership Monitoring Report in order to ensure their full engagement and active contribution.
• Conditions: UNESCO is entitled to restrict the Call for Applications on the basis of specific geographical or thematic priorities.
  • For the 2023 Call, a maximum of two applications from the same country and in two different creative fields have been allowed.
  • Applications from under-represented regions within the Network, mainly Africa and the Arab States, have been encouraged.
  • Cities that have submitted two consecutive unsuccessful applications to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network shall respect a moratorium of 4 years before presenting a new application.

Criteria for City of Literature

• Quality, quantity, and diversity of publishing in the city
• Quality and quantity of educational programmes focusing on domestic or foreign literature at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels
• Important role of literature, drama, and/or poetry in the city
• Hosting literary events and festivals, which promote domestic and foreign literature
• Existence of libraries, bookstores, and public or private cultural centers, which preserve, promote, and disseminate domestic and foreign literature
• Involvement by the publishing sector in translating literary works from diverse national languages and foreign literature
• Active involvement of traditional and new media in promoting literature and strengthening the market for literary products

Other Indian cities in the Network

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FAQs

MCQs

Question: Consider the following statements about the Creative Cities Network:

1. It is an initiative of the Union Ministry of Culture in association with the UN.
2. Kozhikode became the first City of Gastronomy in India.
3. Less than ten Indian cities have been added to the Network.

How many of the above statements are incorrect?

(a) Only 1

(b) Only 2

(c) All 3

(d) None of the above

Question: Recently, the manuscripts of which one of the following have been included in UNESCO’s Memory of World Register? (UPSC 2008)

(a) Abhidhamma Pitaka

(b) Mahabharata

(c) Ramayana

(d) Rig-Veda

Question: Consider the following sites /monuments:

1. Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park
2. Chhatrapati Shivaji Railway Station, Mumbai
3. Mahallapuram
4. Sun Temple (Konark Temple)

Which of the above is/are included in the World Heritage List of UNESCO? (UPSC 2005)

(a) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 1, 3 and 4

(c) 2 and 4

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4