Kozhikode is India's first UNESCO City of Literature: Announcement today

Kozhikode: Today marks a historic moment for Kozhikode as it becomes the first city in India to receive the prestigious UNESCO City of Literature status. The announcement will be made at 5.30 pm by Minister MB Rajesh at Kandamkulam Muhammad Abdu Rahiman Memorial Jubilee Hall in Tali, Kozhikode.

In recognition of this achievement, MT Vasudevan Nair will be honoured with the Corporation's Diamond Jubilee Award. Minister PA Mohammad Riyas will unveil the official logo and launch the website during the ceremony.

UNESCO bestowed the title on Kozhikode on October 31, 2023. A series of literary and cultural activities have been planned over the next four years recognising the same. Locations like Mananchira, Tali and Kuttichira will be transformed into hubs for literary events. The initiative aims to bring the vision of the literary city to life.

At Mananchira, beyond Mittayi Theruvu, sculptures honour dramatist KT Muhammad, Vaikom Muhammad Basheer's beloved goat (a character in his story ‘Pathummayude Aadu’), and other Malayalam literary figures at Ansari Park. Even before becoming the Literary City, sculptures of writers and characters had adorned Kozhikode. The place of Basheer, MT, Uroob, and Pottekkatt envision a future where global recognition elevates it as a Literary City, attracting writers and readers worldwide for cultural exchange. Plans are underway to enhance tourism, including expanding the literary circuit, from Thunjath Ezhuthachan’s Tirur to Vaikom Muhammad Basheer’s Beypore, integrating writings of Ezhuthachan to MT, with the cultural heritage of the Nila (Bharathapuzha) banks and Kozhikode's literary traditions.