Kozhikode, Gwalior Added To UNESCO Creative Cities List

Relevance: Prelims - Current Events of National and International Importance GS1 - Indian Heritage and Culture GS2 - Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.

(Source: The Hindu, 11/02/2023)

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Why in the news?

• Recently, UNESCO announced the addition of Kozhikode and Gwalior to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network on October 31st, World Cities Day.
• Kozhikode has been designated the City of Literature and Gwalior as the City of Music.

Which Indian cities have been added to the UNESCO Creative Cities List?

• Kozhikode in Kerala and Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh have been added to the UNESCO Creative Cities List in 2023 in recognition of their commitment to harnessing culture and creativity.
• Kozhikode: It has been recognized in the Literature category as the City of Literature.
  • Kozhikode is a permanent venue for the annual Kerala Literature Festival and hosts several other book festivals throughout the year.
  • The city is also home to over 500 libraries.
  • The city has been a historically important port for spices since the medieval period and is renowned for its famous Malabar cuisine.
  • The city is also home to beaches and other natural and cultural wealth.
• Gwalior: The city has been honored in the Music category as the City of Music.
  • Gwalior has a rich and diverse musical heritage spanning disciplines such as classical Hindustani music, folk music, and devotional music.
  • It is home to the Gwalior Gharana and is associated with famous Indian musicians such as Tansen and Baiju Bawra.
  • It also hosts prestigious music institutes and music festivals and was significant in the Indian Guru-Shishsya tradition in Indian classical music.
  • Gwalior is also historically significant with architectural marvels such as palaces and temples.

UNESCO Creative Cities Network

• The Creative Cities Network was launched by UNESCO in 2004 with the aim of fostering international cooperation with and between cities.
• UNESCO provides coordination and support which enhances the cultural identity, economy, and international visibility of member cities.
• Cities apply to join the Network and are designated by UNESCO based on criteria related to creativity
• Objective: It aims to drive sustainable urban development, social inclusion, and cultural vibrancy by committing to investments in creativity.
• Categories:
  • Crafts and Folk Art: Recognizing traditional craftsmanship and indigenous artistic heritage.
  • Design: Promoting design innovation, urban planning, and sustainable development.
  • Film: Celebrating cinematic excellence, cultural diversity, and storytelling through the medium of film.
  • Gastronomy: Highlighting culinary traditions, food heritage, and sustainable gastronomic practices.
  • Literature: Fostering literary exchange, promoting reading culture, and nurturing linguistic diversity.
  • Media Arts: Embracing digital creativity, multimedia innovation, and technological advancement in arts.
  • Music: Celebrating musical diversity, cultural heritage, and promoting music education and performance.
• Commitments of member countries: Share best practices and develop partnerships between public and private sectors and civil society to:
  • Strengthen the creation, production, distribution, and dissemination of cultural activities, goods, and services
  • Develop innovation hubs for creators and professionals in the cultural sector
  • Improve access to and participation of marginalized or vulnerable groups and individuals in cultural life
  • Integrate culture and creativity in plans for sustainable development.

Other Indian cities in the list:

UNESCO

• The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that was established with the aim of promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences, and culture.
• It was founded in 1945 and succeeded the International Committee on Intellectual Cooperation under the League of Nations.
• Membership: 193 member states and 11 associate members
• India is a founder member of UNESCO.
• Headquarters: World Heritage Centre in Paris
• Mission: Advance peace, sustainable development, and human rights by facilitating collaboration and dialogue among nations through five major program areas:
  • Education
  • Natural sciences
  • Social/human sciences
  • Culture
  • Communication/information
• Conventions and treaties of UNESCO:
  • The Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Traffic of Cultural Property (1970)
  • The Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972)
  • The Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity (2001)
  • The Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage (2001)
  • The Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003)
  • The Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (2005)
• Major initiatives:
  • World Heritage Convention and List: It is a list of World Heritage Site which are landmarks or areas with legal protection. They have geographical, historical, cultural, or physical significance
  • Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme: It is an intergovernmental scientific programme that aims to establish a scientific basis for enhancing the relationship between people and their environments.
  • Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage: It aims to ensure better protection of important intangible cultural heritages worldwide and the awareness of their significance.
  • Memory of the World Programme: It is an international initiative to safeguard the documentary heritage of humanity against collective amnesia, neglect, the ravages of time and climatic conditions, and willful and deliberate destruction.
• World Water Assessment Programme: It was founded in 2000 to produce a UN system-wide periodic global overview of the status, use, and management of freshwater resources
• Reports:
  • UNESCO Science Report: It is published every five years to mark science, technology and innovation governance.
  • Global Education Monitoring Report: It assesses progress on SDG4, its targets, and other targets related to education.
  • UNESCO State of the Education Report for India: Children With Disabilities: The first edition of the annual report was released in 2019. It highlights accomplishments and challenges regarding the right to education of children with disabilities.

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FAQs

MCQs

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: (UPSC 2005)

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?

(a) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 1, 3 and 4

(c) 2 and 4

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4