Kozhikode is India’s first ‘City of Literature’; All about the UNESCO’s initiative

Jul 7, 2024 Aakanksha Sharma

Kozhikode, India's first 'City of Literature'

Kozhikode, also known as Calicut, has made India proud by being declared as the first Indian ‘City of Literature’. Earlier known as Calicut, Kozhikode is a major city in the state of Kerala, and has a rich history as a trading port, known for the spice trade. Canva

UNESCO City of Literature

The UNESCO City of Literature program is part of UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network, which was launched in 2004. The program aims to promote social, economic, and cultural development of cities. Canva

The literary culture of Kozhikode

​Kozhikode has a buzzing literary culture, with a strong tradition of Malayalam literature. The city is home to many writers, poets, and literary figures and hosts regular literary festivals, book fairs, and poetry readings. Canva

Famous literary figures of Kozhikode

​The city has many famous literary figures such as Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, S. K. Pottekkatt, N.N. Kakkad, M. T. Vasudevan Nair, and more. Canva

Famous literary award

Kozhikode also hosts many different literary institutions and organisations. The most famous being ‘Kerala Sahitya Akademi’ or Academy for Malayalam Literature. Canva

The literary stores

Kozhikode is also home to many libraries, bookstores, and literature festivals. The Kerala State Library and the Kerala Literature Festival are major highlights. Canva

The requirements to qualify

To be selected and qualified as a ‘City of Literature’ there are certain rules put forward by UNESCO CCN. For example “Hosting literary events and festivals which promote domestic and foreign literature; Existence of libraries, bookstores, and public or private cultural centres, etc”. Canva

Additional requirements

According to the Cities of Literature official website, they should also look at “Quality, quantity, and diversity of publishing in the city, Quality and quantity of educational programs focusing on domestic or foreign literature, Literature, drama and/or poetry playing, etc." Canva

How will this designation help Kozhikode?

Being designated as the ‘City of Literature’ can improve and enhance Kozhikode’s cultural profile. It can attract literary tourism, increase cultural exchanges, and bring in funding and support for local literary projects. Canva

Will there be economic benefits?

While UNESCO does not provide any specific amount to the selected city of literature, it can attract more startups and funding to the city. Be it new bookshops, new libraries, more book clubs, and the like. Canva

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