A proposal is being prepared with the assistance of Prague University for Kozhikode.
Vaikom Mohammed Basheer, Sanjayan, S.K. Pottekkatt, M.T. Vasudevan Nair, N.N. Kakkad, and U.A. Khader are among Kerala’s most illustrious writers. Literary periodicals like the Matrabhumi weekly, a wide network of libraries, and annual literary events like the Kerala Literature Festival all contribute to this.
With the aid of UNESCO, the Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA) requested that Kozhikode be designated as a “City of Literature.” It is one of the six “Creative Cities” that KILA intends to construct.
Thiruvananthapuram is seeking the title of “City of Peace,” while Kollam is contending for the title of “City of Biodiversity,” Kochi is vying for the title of “City of Design,” Thrissur is vying for the title of “City of Learning,” and Kannur is vying for the title of “City of Craft and Folk Arts.”
According to Joy Elamon, Director General of KILA, the branding will assist Kozhikode gain a global presence. Innovative literary events showcasing writers from other nations could be held here. Right now, the credentials are being prepared so that the application can be submitted in 2024, he explained.
The Kozhikode Corporation has already taken the first steps in this direction. The proposal is being prepared by the local authorities with the assistance of the University of Prague in the Czech Republic. In 2014, Prague was given the designation.
According to a Prague government website, a city certified as a “Creative City of Literature” must have a certain number of literary organizations.
Published by – Kiruthiga K
Edited by – Kritika Kashyap
