Kozhikode was recognized under the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) as a ‘City of Literature’ in October 2023.
- The city is celebrated annually on June 23 as ‘City of Literature’ Day.
About Kozhikode:
- Kozhikode, also known as Calicut, is recognized as the first Indian city to be titled ‘City of Literature’ by UNESCO.
- This recognition places it under the literary category of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).
Literary Culture and Heritage
- Kozhikode is the host of the Kerala Literature Festival, one of Asia’s largest literary events.
- It boasts a strong literary foundation with over 500 libraries and more than 70 publishers.
- The city has a high level of literary education.
Notable Personalities in Literature
- It has been the home to eminent writers like S. K. Pottekkatt, Thikkodiyan, P. Valsala Sanjayan, who have enriched Malayalam literature.
Historical and Cultural Context
- Located on the Malabar coast, Kozhikode was historically known as a City of Spices, trading in spices like black pepper and cardamom with various civilizations for over 500 years.
- The term “calico”, a fine hand-woven cotton cloth, is believed to be derived from Calicut.
- It was ruled in the medieval age by the Samoothiris (Zamorins).
Historical Visits by Notable Figures
- The city was visited by notable historical figures including:
- Ibn Battuta in the 14th century.
- Vasco da Gama and Abdur Razzaq in the 15th century.
Contemporary Recognition
- In 2012, Kozhikode was also given the tag of “City of Sculptures” (Shilpa Nagaram) due to various architectural sculptures located in different parts of the city.
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