KOZHIKODE, June 23 : Kerala Minister for Local Self and Government and Excise, M B Rajesh officially announced Kozhikode as India’s first “UNESCO city of Literature” in a function held at Jubilee Hall at Thali, on Sunday.
Tourism Minister M B Muhammed Riyaz unveiled the “City of Literature logo” and launched its website at the function.
Noted Malayalam writer MT Vasudevan has been honoured with the Kozhikode Corporation’s “Diamond Jubilee Award ” and this award will be presented on the next day at his house. The organizers who had invited MT Vasudevan Nair informed that he did not attend the function due to health issues.
Minister M B Rajesh said the Corporation authorities had presented the contributions of eminent personalities in the literature field to Kerala and that Kozhikode is home to many luminaries like S K Pottekkatt, Vaikom Muhammed Basheer, MT Vasudevan Nair, and others. Several media organizations like Mathrubhumi have been functioning since 1923 from Kozhikode and around 70 publishing houses release up to 500 books every year, and boasts of around 550 libraries, which helps for the development of traditional –literature and cultural sectors of the State.
UNESCO bestowed the title on October 31, 2023 to Kozhikode among the 55 cities included in the UNESCO Cities in the World as part of chosen creative cities in the country and the official announcement function was organized by Kozhikode Corporation ,on Sunday with the presence of eminent personalities from various fields including Lyrics-musician Kaithapram Damodharan Namboodhiri.
Kozhikode, is home to many literary luminaries like S K Pottekkatt, Vaikom Muhammed Basheer and MT Vasudevan Nair.
Corporation Mayor Beena Philip said a series of literary and cultural activities have been planned over the next four years. Mananchira, Thali, and Kuttichira places will be transformed into hubs for literary events in coming years. (UNI)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
