Kozhikode: India's First UNESCO City of Literature
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Date | June 23, 2024 |
| City | Kozhikode, Kerala |
| Achievement | First UNESCO City of Literature in India |
| Announced by | Minister for Local Self-Government, M.B. Rajesh |
| City Characteristics | Unpretentious, Hospitable, Undying spirit of freedom |
| Literary Legacy | Two Jnanpith Award winners. Contributions in cinema, music, and media |
| Key Contributors | Mayor M. Beena Philip, Kerala Institute of Local Administration |
| New Initiatives | Annual "City of Literature Day" on June 23 |
| Literary Awards | Six categories: Comprehensive contribution, Women writers, Young writers, Children's literature, Translations |
| Tourism | Malabar Literary Circuit includes Beypore and Vaikom Muhammad Basheer's house |
| Cultural Centers | Anakkulam Cultural Centre to become the "City of Literature centre" |
| Honors | Kozhikode Corporation's diamond jubilee award presented to writer M.T. Vasudevan Nair |
| UNESCO Facts | UNESCO DG: Audrey Azoulay; Founded: November 16, 1945; Headquarters: Paris, France |