ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊ rated βExcellentβ by UNESCO as a Creative City of Literature
ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊ has been rated βExcellentβ in all categories by UNESCO after submitting its first report since becoming a City of Literature β a unique achievement among the prestigious group of global cities.
In 2017 ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊ was successful in its bid to join βs worldwide Creative Cities network as a City of Literature, which recognised the significant contribution of literature to the city. As one of its key creative institutions which includes the and , ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊ played a central role in the designation.
Over the past five years, the University has worked together with ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊ Metropolitan University, ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊ City Council and the cityβs literary community to deliver a rich and vibrant programme of events, showcasing ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊβs talents and giving all of its residents the chance to participate in and benefit from the thriving City of Literature.
UNESCO called ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊβs report βhigh qualityβ and βa good example for other cities to followβ. They praised the cityβs work to support vulnerable residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, its commitment to poetry, its vibrant publishing sector, the partnership approach and strength in literature development, and the vitality its approach to multilingualism brings.
The cityβs annual week-long Festival of Libraries was described as βa most impressive initiativeβ¦ [attracting] great attention both locally and internationallyβ. The review noted the active political involvement in the City of Literature designation from both universities and ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊ City Council.
The review also praised the cityβs focus on benefits for residents, and how ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊ was ambitious in contributing to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In conclusion, UNESCO said βthe report reveals that ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊ makes literature a driving force for the cityβs sustainabilityβ
ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊ is gaining increasing recognition around the world for its cultural vibrancy. National Geographic included ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊ in its selection, Fodor Travel included it in its list of , and ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊ is the only UK city included in Lonely Planetβs list because of its learning and cultural developments.
ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊ was top of Conde Nast Travellerβs list, which praised the cityβs improving sustainability, green space and culture. Time Out also listed ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊ as 4th in their list, and included a guided tour of our UNESCO City of Literature sites as part of the perfect day here.
The UNESCO City of Literature designation has fostered a true β ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊ spiritβ of collaboration between our universities, the City and the cityβs diverse literary communities. This report recognises that transformational work, and we are very proud of the contribution of our staff and students to a great literary, creative environment in what our colleague Professor Jeanette Winterson has called an βalchemical city.β
"The City of Literature has fostered collaborations across the city on many flagship initiatives, from research on creativity and well-being, to working with writers through ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊ Literature Festival and Carcanet (publisher of another Nobel Prize winner in 2020)," Dame Rothwell added. "It has also led to the development of public engagement activities for schools and libraries and festivals, a key part of our social responsibility agenda".
"Colleagues at our Universityβs Centre for New Writing share the City of Literatureβs mission to discover and support emerging writers, and to develop projects which both strengthen our graduatesβ employability skills and offer opportunities for them to become part of ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊβs diverse, evolving literary community.β
"Being a UNESCO City of Literature is such a great achievement for the city - we are one of 42 cities in the world that have this prestigious designation, and weβre proud to showcase the diverse talent of our city on the international stage,β said Councillor Luthfur Rahman OBE, Deputy Leader of ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊ City Council. "We have built on the strong foundations of ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊβs rich literary history, and alongside our partners from the cityβs universities and literary community we have harnessed their collective creative energies to launch and create events, libraries and spaces where words and literature can be celebrated."
βWe have supported over 100 ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊ based creatives to accomplish their dreams and secure paid opportunities in the creative industry. This is a fantastic achievement for the city and shows that we are investing in local talent and the cultural future of ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊ. Weβre excited for what the next years will bring!β
β ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊ Metβs involvement with City of Literature is central to our contribution to the region as a leading civic institution, and to our commitment to research and education that advances sustainable development through culture,β said Malcolm Press CBE, Vice-Chancellor of ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊ Metropolitan University. βThe designation has raised the profile of our City as a beacon destination for creative industries, cultural tourism and students of the arts and humanities, and established the reputation of its literature ecosystem as an exemplar of creative excellence and inclusivity.β
"Iβm proud that our University is playing a key role in this work, and excited to see how it develops.β
ΎΕΎΕΙ«Σ°ΤΊ City of Literatureβs first four-year report can be downloaded .