The cities in our Creative Cities Network are leading the way when it comes to enhancing access to culture and galvanising the power of creativity for urban resilience and development
Audrey Azouley
On Tuesday, the Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, G Kishan Reddy, revealed that Kozhikode in Kerala has been officially named a UNESCO ‘City of Literature,’ while Gwalior has been designated as the ‘City of Music’ in the latest UNESCO Creative Cities Network list. UNESCO unveiled this list of 55 new creative cities on World Cities Day. Notably, Kozhikode is the first city in India to hold the prestigious title of City of Literature, and Madhya Pradesh has earned the City of Music designation.
India's cultural vibrancy shines brighter on the global stage with Kozhikode's rich literary legacy and Gwalior's melodious heritage now joining the esteemed UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 1, 2023
Congratulations to the people of Kozhikode and Gwalior on this remarkable achievement!… https://t.co/JgxRIDp20w
The latest additions bring the total number of cities in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network to 350, spanning over 100 countries, and covering the seven creative fields of Crafts and Folk Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, and Music. Kozhikode’s pursuit of the City of Literature designation in 2022 was initiated based on a proposal by the Kerala Institute of Local Administration
Audrey Azoulay, the UNESCO Director-General, highlighted the leadership of cities within the Creative Cities Network in expanding access to culture and harnessing creativity for urban resilience and development. Azoulay also mentioned that an upcoming policy paper titled “The Added Value of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network at Local, National, and International Levels” will demonstrate how cities play a pivotal role in achieving the 2030 Agenda, with UNESCO supporting UCCN members through dialogue, peer-to-peer learning, and collaboration.The newly designated “Creative Cities” have been invited to participate in the 2024 UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) annual conference, scheduled to take place from July 1 to 5, 2024, in Braga, Portugal. The conference’s theme will revolve around “Bringing Youth to the Table for the Next Decade.”
By 2050, cities will be home to 68% of the world’s population.
— UNESCO 🏛️ #Education #Sciences #Culture 🇺🇳 (@UNESCO) October 31, 2023
On #WorldCitiesDay, discover the 55 new cities to join UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network, highlighting the power of culture & creativity to foster a sustainable urban environment for all.
🔗https://t.co/1yOg0ZwZU5 pic.twitter.com/Aiqxq92pP0
Furthermore, the release noted that these newly designated cities will collaborate with UCCN members to enhance their resilience in the face of evolving challenges like climate change, increasing inequality, and rapid urbanisation. It was emphasised that by 2050, an estimated 68% of the world’s population will reside in urban areas.
In an ever-changing world, where culture and creativity are vital for building resilient and vibrant urban communities, UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network stands as a beacon of hope. The addition of Kozhikode and Madhya Pradesh to this prestigious network not only celebrates their unique artistic contributions but also marks their commitment to shaping a brighter, more inclusive future. As these cities prepare to bring youth to the table for the next decade, they exemplify the power of creativity to tackle the challenges of our times. Together, they will continue to enrich our world with the magic of literature and music, reminding us that creativity knows no bounds, and that it is through these shared expressions of culture that we can address the pressing global issues of our age.
