Gwalior and Kozhikode Join UNESCO Creative Cities Network

UNESCO has welcomed 55 new cities into the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, and among them are Gwalior and Kozhikode from India. UNESCO made this announcement on its official website. These cities have been recognized for their strong commitment to leveraging culture and creativity as integral parts of their development strategies, along with demonstrating innovative approaches to human-centered urban planning.

The designation of these cities was made on World Cities Day by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh has achieved a place in the ‘Music’ category. while Kozhikode in Kerala has earned its spot in the ‘Literature’ category.

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Creative Fields

The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) has expanded with the latest additions, and it now encompasses 350 cities from over 100 countries. These cities represent seven creative fields, which are Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts, and Music. The network showcases the diversity of creativity and culture across the globe within these categories.

Gwalior – City of Music

Gwalior has a rich musical heritage and is renowned for its contributions to the field of music, as follows:

The city is associated with legendary figures in the world of music, such as Sangeet Samarat Tansen and Baliti Bawra, who have left an indelible mark on the musical landscape.
Gwalior is widely recognized as the birthplace of the Gwalior Gharana. It is one of the oldest Hindustani musical Gharanas, which carries its name. This Gharana has made significant contributions to Indian classical music.
The cultural identity of Gwalior, particularly in its historic core, is a vital cultural resource for the city, contributing to its unique character.

Furthermore, in 2020, Gwalior, along with its historical neighboring town Orchha, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Cities list under the Urban Landscaped Cities program. This recognition highlights the city’s historical and cultural significance on a global scale.

Kozhikode – City of Literature

Kozhikode, known for its literary culture, embarked on its journey towards accomplishments in 2022, driven by various initiatives:

The Kerala Institute of Local Administration proposed an endeavor that set the stage for Kozhikode’s literary achievements.
Collaborating with the University of Prague, the inaugural ‘City of Literature’ in 2014, Kozhikode showcased its global literary aspirations.
A research student from the University of Prague, Ludmila Kolouchova, conducted a comparative study between Kozhikode and Prague, highlighting Kozhikode’s literary expertise. This study emphasized Kozhikode’s significant number of libraries (500 more) and publishers (70 more).
With events like the annual Kerala Literature Festival and various book fairs, Kozhikode showcased its vibrant literary landscape, ultimately securing its place on UNESCO’s Creative Cities list. These efforts underscore Kozhikode’s literary prominence and its commitment to fostering literary culture.

Indian Cities in the UCCN

Jaipur: Crafts and Folk Arts (2015)
Varanasi: Music (2015)
Chennai: Music (2017)
Mumbai: Film (2019)
Hyderabad: Gastronomy (2019)
Srinagar: Crafts and Folk Arts (2021)
Gwalior: Music (2023)
Kozhikode: Literature (2023)

About the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)

The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) was established in 2004 with the primary goal of promoting cooperation among cities that recognize creativity as a key driver for sustainable urban development.

UCCN serves as a crucial partner for UNESCO by facilitating discussions on the role of creativity in sustainable development. It takes concrete actions and encourages innovation to advance the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Objective

The key objective of cities within this network is to integrate creativity and cultural industries into their local development plans, emphasizing their importance. Additionally, they actively engage in international cooperation, contributing to the broader discussion on fostering creativity for sustainable urban development. This collaborative effort aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) outlined in the 2030 Agenda.

Significance of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network

Cities within the UNESCO Creative Cities Network are at the forefront of efforts to expand access to culture and harness the potential of creativity for urban resilience and development.

An upcoming policy paper titled “The added value of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network at local, national, and international levels” will underscore the leading role played by these cities in achieving the 2030 Agenda. It will also demonstrate how UNESCO supports members of the UCCN through the facilitation of dialogue, peer-to-peer learning, and collaboration.

The newly designated Creative Cities are invited to participate in the 2024 UCCN Annual Conference. It is scheduled for July 1-5, 2024, in Braga, Portugal. The theme of the conference is “Bringing Youth to the table for the next decade.”

Shubham Mittal

Shubham Mittal is a renowned current affairs writer and expert in government exam preparation, inspiring readers with insightful articles and guiding aspirants with his expertise.

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