UNESCO announced on Tuesday that Kozhikode, Kerala, India, has been designated as a Creative City of Literature, while Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India, has been designated as a Creative City of Music. These two cities are now part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), a network of 295 cities in 98 countries that are committed to using culture and creativity to promote sustainable development.
Kozhikode, the City of Literature
Kozhikode is a city with a rich literary heritage dating back centuries. It is the birthplace of the Malayalam language and has produced some of the most renowned Malayalam writers of all time, including Thunchath Ezhuthachan, Vallathol Narayana Menon, and Uroob. The city is also home to a number of important literary institutions, including the Kerala Sahitya Akademi, the Malayalam University, and the Calicut University.
In recent years, Kozhikode has emerged as a vibrant literary hub. The city hosts a number of literary festivals and events throughout the year, including the Kozhikode Literary Festival, the Malabar River Festival, and the Mathrubhumi Literary Festival. Kozhikode is also home to a number of independent bookstores and publishers, as well as a thriving community of writers and readers.
Gwalior, the City of Music
Gwalior is a city with a rich musical heritage that dates back to the 15th century. The city is known for its Gwalior Gharana, a classical Hindustani music school that has produced some of the most renowned musicians in India, including Tansen, Baiji Bai, and Bade Ghulam Ali Khan. Gwalior is also home to a number of important musical institutions, including the Tansen Sangeet Samaroh, the Gwalior Fort Music Festival, and the Madhya Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi.
In recent years, Gwalior has continued to be a vibrant musical hub. The city hosts a number of music festivals and events throughout the year, including the Gwalior Music Festival, the Tansen Music Festival, and the Madhya Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi Festival. Gwalior is also home to a number of independent music schools and recording studios, as well as a thriving community of musicians and music lovers.
Significance of the UCCN Designation
The UCCN designation is a prestigious recognition of Kozhikode and Gwalior’s commitment to using culture and creativity to promote sustainable development. The designation will help to raise the profile of these two cities on the global stage and attract new investment and opportunities. The designation will also provide Kozhikode and Gwalior with access to a network of creative cities around the world, with whom they can collaborate on projects and initiatives.
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