Kerala’s Kozhikode – India’s first UNESCO ‘City of Literature’

June 24, 2024

The UNESCO honored Kozhikode as India’s first “City of Literature” on June 23. According to this status, the city’s cultural history should be celebrated and used to help develop literary ability. The Mayor of Kozhikode and the Kerala Institute of Local Administration took the lead in getting the city this title. Their thorough research and well-organized presentation brought out Kozhikode’s important contributions to many cultural areas, making Kolkata’s literary practices look weak in comparison.

Contributing Factors

Kozhikode has been home to numerous cultural icons including two Jnanpith laureates. The local cinema, music, and media houses have also played an essential role in developing the city’s literary and cultural environment. “City of Literature Day” was made official by Mayor M. Beena Philip on June 23. To honor and support literary excellence in the city, six different awards will be given out every year. The Anakkulam Cultural Center is also called the “City of Literature Center.” During the announcement event, prominent local figures and artists were present, and the city’s much-acclaimed writer M.T. Vasudevan Nair was honored with the Kozhikode Corporation’s diamond jubilee award, which showed the city’s commitment to its literary heroes.

More About Kozhikode

Kozhikode, which used to be called Calicut, is a city on the coast of Kerala. It is famous for being where Vasco da Gama arrived in 1498, which was a major event in the Age of Discovery. Kozhikode was once called the “City of Spices” because it was an important part of the Eastern spice trade. Calico is a type of handwoven cotton cloth that comes from this place. The Mishkal Mosque in Kozhikode is very old. It was built in the 1400s. The city is where the famous martial art style Kalaripayattu got its start. Kozhikode was also ranked as the 11th best city to reside in India as per a survey in 2007.

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