CITIES OF LITERATURE

We are a global network of 53 cities that specialise in literature. The UNESCO designation ‘City of Literature’ recognises excellence and places an obligation on cities to nurture and support their artform. We collaborate internationally by sharing best practice, supporting freedom of speech and running projects which ensure literature reaches as wide and diverse an audience as possible, locally and internationally.

The 53 Cities of Literature are part of a wider UNESCO Creative Cities Network currently made up of 350 UNESCO Creative Cities globally. Members from over one hundred countries covering seven creative fields – Crafts & Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Music, and Media Arts – have all received UNESCO designations, which recognise past, present and future: a strong cultural heritage, a vibrant and diverse contemporary cultural scene, and aspirations to extend culture to the next generation at home and to other cities in a global partnership.

The designations are monitored and reviewed every 4 years by UNESCO. To meet the criteria, each city makes a commitment to develop a shared network strategy, foster the exchange of information, encourage global partnerships, and promote creativity and culture.

The UNESCO Cities of Literature network of 53 cities, representing 6 continents and 34 countries

The UNESCO Cities of Literature network boasts a combined population of over 26 million, 1250 libraries, 130 literary festivals, over 1200 bookshops, the world’s oldest book, the world’s tallest monument to a writer, the world’s first Master of Fine Arts Creative Writing programme, the oldest university in central Europe, and the only train station named after a book.

The range of activity is impressive, from the world’s largest book festival to the most unusual literary hotels. Individual authors from the cities are commemorated in public celebrations such as Bloomsday and Robert Louis Stevenson Day. Poetry is celebrated in the Young Poet Laureate scheme, poetry entryphones, live literature performances, and several poetry festivals in different cities. Celebrations of heritage – from paved walkways to statues and bridges named after writers – work alongside citywide programmes to nurture new readers.

Emerging writers’ festivals and programmes are championed by the cities, as well as several children’s literature festivals, reading initiatives, and library campaigns.

Numerous prizes, writing residencies, and scholarships play a large part in advancing the creative output of the cities, celebrating works of translation, poetry, fiction, design, illustration, and much more. A Book-Flood Before Christmas, book fairs, curated tours, A Writer’s Studio, and the Children’s Culture House - these are just a few of the activities and projects that recognise the importance of books, publishing, reading, and writing, in each of our cities of literature.

The UNESCO Cities of Literature network is home to a collection of diverse personalities and languages.

We are active in making the literary and creative sectors of our cities thrive through the development and implementation of a shared global strategy.

We have collaborated internationally through projects which promote the network, share good practice, and ensure that literature reaches diverse audiences. Please see our Shared Projects page for more information.

As Cities of Literature, we have committed to the following values that guide our work, relationships and activities:

- We will build a welcoming and cooperative network that reflects the diversity and richness of the world’s languages and literatures;

- We will promote the value of dialogue and freedom of speech and expression in all our activities;

- We will pursue through the network international opportunities that benefit our local and national literary sectors;

- We will work to strengthen the relationships between all creative cities around the globe;

- We will be active and proactive in our communications with each other and our partners.

In 2004, Edinburgh was the first city to become a UNESCO City of Literature, sparking a global network of creative cities. Now there are 53 Cities of Literature spanning 39 countries and six continents that come together as an international advisory hub for aspiring Cities of Literature. Each city is dedicated to a host of international projects, collaborations, and advocacy for literature.