CONTENTS
- Kozhikode and Gwalior in UNESCO Creative Cities Network
Kozhikode and Gwalior in UNESCO Creative Cities Network
Context:
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has welcomed 55 new cities into its Creative Cities Network (UCCN). Notably, two Indian cities have joined this network: Kozhikode in Kerala, designated as the ‘City of Literature,’ and Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, recognized as the ‘City of Music.’
Relevance:
Facts for Prelims
Dimensions of the Article:
- Recognition of Kozhikode as City of Literature:
- Designation of Gwalior as the City of Music:
- UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)
Recognition of Kozhikode as City of Literature:
- Kozhikode is the first Indian city to earn the prestigious title of ‘City of Literature’ from UNESCO.
- The city has a rich history of hosting prominent literary gatherings like the Kerala Literature Festival.
- This recognition underscores Kozhikode’s role as a center for intellectual exchange and literary discourse.
- Kozhikode boasts more than 500 libraries and is home to renowned writers like S. K. Pottekkatt, contributing to Malayalam literature and culture.
Designation of Gwalior as the City of Music:
- Gwalior becomes the second Indian city, after Varanasi in 2015, to be designated as the ‘City of Music’ by UNESCO.
- The city is known as the birthplace of Tansen, a legendary musician and composer in Indian history.
- Gwalior is the cradle of the Gwalior Gharana, the oldest and most influential school of Hindustani classical music.
- The annual Tansen Sangeet Samaroh in Gwalior is one of India’s largest music festivals, attracting enthusiasts and artists from across the country and abroad.
UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)
- Established in 2004, the UCCN promotes collaboration among cities recognizing creativity as vital for urban development.
- It aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 11, focusing on Sustainable Cities and Communities.
- The network encompasses seven creative fields: crafts and folk arts, media arts, film, design, gastronomy, literature, and music.
- Indian Cities in the UCCN
- Several Indian cities have been recognized by the UCCN:
- Jaipur: Crafts and Folk Arts (2015)
- Varanasi: Creative City of Music (2015)
- Chennai: Creative City of Music (2017)
- Mumbai: Film (2019)
- Hyderabad: Gastronomy (2019)
- Srinagar: Crafts and Folk Art (2021)
- Kozhikode joins as the ‘City of Literature,’ and Gwalior as the ‘City of Music,’ enriching India’s presence in the UCCN.
