Kozhikode Named UNESCO's City of Literature! Everything You Need To Know

Thiruvananthapuram: Kozhikode, a cultural hub in north Kerala known for its literary giants like S.K. Pottekkatt, Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, and M.T. Vasudevan Nair, officially recognized as UNESCO's 'City of Literature' on Sunday. Home to 70 publishing houses producing up to 500 books annually and 550 libraries, Kozhikode's rich literary heritage and vibrant publishing scene have earned the city this prestigious title.

Last December, Kozhikode received its UNESCO 'City of Literature' designation, thanks to the dedicated efforts of students from the National Institute of Technology, Calicut. M.B. Rajesh, Kerala's Minister of Local Self-Government made the official announcement on June 23.

New Day Added to the History of Kozhikode

Furthermore, the state government has designated June 23 as 'City of Literature' Day in Kozhikode for the coming years. Kozhikode is a city renowned for writers such as the late S K Pottakkad and Vaikom Muhammad Basheer.

According to an LSGD announcement, special prizes would be given out in six categories on this day.

During the event, Tourism Minister P A Mohammed Riyas revealed the "City of Literature" logo crafted by UNESCO.

City of Literature: Kozhikode

Once known as the city of Zamorins, Kozhikode—also called Calicut during British rule—served as a prominent entry point to the coast for numerous foreigners centuries ago, including Persians, Arabs, Chinese, and eventually Europeans. 

Kozhikode, renowned as the birthplace of Kerala's liberation struggle, has long been a celebrated destination for book festivals. It boasts more than 500 active libraries, serving as a central hub for the literary pursuits of renowned Malayalam author M T Vasudevan Nair.

Kozhikode has a literary heritage that stretches back to the fourteenth century. Over the years, the city has hosted significant literary events that attract readers from across the nation and beyond.

Kozhikode's love for literature is further perpetuated by its tribute to literary greats, visible on every prominent street, including SM Street, also known as "Mittayi Theruvu."

Students Who Made This Possible

In 2023, students from NIT Calicut's Department of Architecture and Planning conducted an extensive study as part of their coursework, which played a key role in Kozhikode being awarded the title.

According to Mohammed Firoz, Dean of the Department, who mentored the students, no other city could match Kozhikode's network of publishers and libraries.

UNESCO also reviewed several initiatives in Kozhikode aimed at expanding the role of literature in urban development and enhancing citizen participation. This included SecondPen, a platform for writers in the medical field, along with other efforts to promote literature among the public and preserve the city's literary heritage.

55 Indian Cities in New UCCN List

Recently, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)  welcomed 55 additional cities, including Gwalior and Kozhikode in India, to its network. The updated list was released on the website on October 31, World Cities Day.

With the latest additions, the UCCN now encompasses 350 cities from over 100 countries, representing seven creative fields: music, media arts, crafts and folk art, design, film, gastronomy, literature, and media arts.

UNESCO announced that the newly designated Creative Cities are invited to participate in the 2024 UCCN Annual Conference in Braga, Portugal, scheduled for July 1–5, 2024. The theme of the Braga Conference is "Bringing Youth to the Table for the Next Decade."

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