Kozhikode in northern Kerala is steeped in cultural heritage, declared India's first UNESCO 'City of Literature'. The declaration in this regard was made at a function led by M B Rajesh, Minister of Local Self Government Department, marking Kozhikode's inclusion into the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the 'Literature' segment with effect from October 2023.
The Minister termed Kozhikode a city of compassion, harmony, commitment to justice, and freedom of expression—values that helped in fostering vibrant artistic expression. Calling it winning the distinction 'City of Literature' leaving behind similarly culturally rich cities like Kolkata, he attributed it to the clean governance of Kozhikode City Corporation.
The State Government had declared June 23 as the 'City of Literature' Day in Kozhikode. Of course, it will be some minor way of showing respect to the literary personalities in Kozhikode, which has been the hometown of great writers since the 1920s and continued till recent years with noted writers like S K Pottakkad and Vaikom Muhammed Basheer. Special awards across six categories have been announced by the LSGD as part of the occasion.
He also released the official logo of Kozhikode as a UNESCO 'City of Literature' during the function. Minister Rajesh handed over the Diamond Jubilee award from the Kozhikode city corporation at the residence of Jnanpith awardee M T Vasudevan Nair, thus acclamation for the rich literary potential of the city.
Historically known as Calicut during British rule and earlier the seat of the Zamorins, Kozhikode has traditionally been a doorway for international trade and cultural relations, carrying within it influences from Persians, Arabs, Chinese, and Europeans due to its fearless seafaring tradition for hundreds of years. It is also a hub of the freedom movement in Kerala and.
The place has over 500 working libraries, which turns it into a nerve center for literary activities, having been the creative centre which fostered Malayalam literature with giants like M.T. Vasudevan Nair.
The fact that Kozhikode featured in the UCCN, along with the city of Gwalior in the 'Music' category, itself is a testament to the commitment the city has for cultural development and innovative urban planning. UNESCO announced it on October 31, celebrated as World Cities Day, marking an expansion of this global network—including a total of 350 cities representing seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts, and Music.
Those creative cities newly designated are invited to participate in the 2024 UCCN Annual Conference, under the theme "Youth Engagement and Strategies for Urban Development in a post-pandemic future," to be held in Braga, Portugal.
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