Gwalior and Kozhikode from India are among the 55 new cities which have joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Earlier, Srinagar was designated the creative city in the field of Crafts and Folk Arts.
Inclusion in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network
[A] Gwalior’s Musical Heritage
- Category: Gwalior, a town in Madhya Pradesh, was chosen for the “Music” category in recognition of its extensive musical history.
- Cultural Significance: Gwalior was known for being a well-liked location for studying Indian classical music from performers in the Guru-Shishya Parampara. It is the home of the Gwalior Gharana and is associated with musicians such as Baiju Bawra and Tansen.
[B] Kozhikode’s Literary Excellence
- Category: Kozhikode, a city in Kerala, gained recognition for its literary accomplishments in the “Literature” category.
- Literary Heritage: Kozhikode held the honor of having more than 500 libraries.
About UNESCO Creative Cities Network
| Purpose | To promote cooperation among cities for cultural and creative industries development |
| Initiation | Established by UNESCO in 2004 |
| Seven Categories | Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts, Music, and Crafts & Folk Art |
| Member Cities | Over 250 cities from around the world |
| Objectives | Foster innovation, cultural diversity, and sustainable urban development |
| Activities | Collaborative projects, cultural events, and initiatives |
| Selection Process | Cities apply and are designated by UNESCO based on criteria related to creativity |
| Network Coordination | UNESCO provides coordination and support |
| Impact | Enhances cities’ cultural identity, economy, and international visibility |
| Other Indian Cities in UCCN | Srinagar- Crafts and Folk Arts (2022) Jaipur- Crafts and Folk Arts (2015) Varanasi- Creative city of Music (2015) Chennai- Creative city of Music (2017) Mumbai- Film (2019) Hyderabad- Gastronomy/Food (2019) |
