A Grand Achievement
Kozhikode in North Kerala, famous for its vast culture and heritage, has officially been declared as the first ‘City of Literature’ by UNESCO. The city was previously placed in the Literature category of the Creative Cities Network of UNESCO. The announcement was made by M B Rajesh, the State Local Self Department Minister. Rajesh highlighted the core values of the city and raved about the importance of its coherent and efficient functioning.
The Literary Importance of Kozhikode
Kozhikode, a vital trading port on the Malabar Coast in the past, attracted scholars and merchants from different parts of the world. Many European scholars and Chinese traders frequented the place, leading to the exchange of cultural and literary ideas. Malayalam literature has always been fostered in Kozhikode, with many modern poets and writers making contributions and gaining international recognition for their literary masterpieces. One of the famous names includes that of author M. T. Vasudevan Nair.
The Four-Phased Programme
Planning for a four-phased project is underway by The corporation of Kozhikode, which includes navigating for locations to hold literary debates, methods to substantially increase the participation rate of people in literary activities, and scavenging for innovative and impactful ways to preserve the city’s literary heritage. Locations such as Tali Temple, Kozhikode Beach, and Kuttichira would be selected to hold all events related to literature.
What Led to the Success?
The efforts of students of the National Institute of Technology, Calicut in the Department of Architecture and Planning led to the culmination of such a grand event. They underwent a study as part of their academic curriculum in 2023. The students were guided by Mohammed Firoz, the head of the department.
‘City of Literature’ Day
The mayor, M. Beena Philip made an announcement that stated that June 23 will be celebrated as the ‘City of Literature’ day, and literary awards will be given every year in a cultural festival to women writers, young writers, and children’s literature. Many writers, music, cinema, and media houses were acknowledged for helping the city reach its high status. The city also holds around 550 libraries and 70 publishing houses, which makes up for its grand and rich literary culture.