KILA and Kozhikode Corporation sign pact to advance City of Literature initiatives

Kozhikode Corporation and KILA officials sign an agreement in Kozhikode on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: K. Ragesh

The Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA) has partnered with the Kozhikode Corporation to launch activities related to the UNESCO ‘City of Literature’ designation.

Kozhikode, the first Indian city to receive this honour, was included in the UNESCO list on October 31, 2023. According to sources, although Kozhikode has engaged with other ‘Cities of Literature’ worldwide, it has organised very few unique events independently over the past three years. UNESCO reviews the tag every four years, and insufficient activity could result in the city losing the designation.

KILA previously played a supportive role in securing the ‘City of Literature’ tag for Kozhikode. The Corporation has now decided to collaborate with KILA again to leverage its expertise in developing innovative initiatives. An agreement to this effect was signed on Wednesday (July 22, 2026) by Mayor O. Sadasivan and KILA Director-General N. Devidas.

Attendees including A. Pradeepkumar, former MLA of Kozhikode North, and former Mayor Beena Philip suggested expanding activities to highlight the city’s heritage and history. Mr. Pradeepkumar proposed a project to protect historical monuments in Kozhikode.

Current and Planned Activities

• An office for the ‘City of Literature’ is operating at the Corporation’s cultural centre in Anakkulam.
• Representatives from Kozhikode have previously attended literature camps in other ‘Cities of Literature’.
• A ‘Creative Economy Fest’ and a film exhibition have been held in Kozhikode.
• Officials are planning to extend the UNESCO branding to other cities across India, which could open new opportunities.
• Steps will be taken to learn from successful models in other ‘Cities of Literature’.

Future Directions

Since music, food, design, and architecture can be linked with literature, the potential for a creative economy will be explored. This could also boost the tourism sector and the local economy.

Mr. Devidas stated that while ongoing work will continue, more thematic projects will be undertaken. Suggestions from people’s representatives, cultural activists, and writers will be invited. The cultural park proposed in the State Budget in memory of M.T. Vasudevan Nair could be linked with the ‘City of Literature’. Contributions from other writers from the city will also be highlighted.

“The new generation, the ‘Gen Z’, are not so keen on pursuing literature in the traditional format. We need to inculcate the habit of reading among them. Along with this, focus should also be on senior citizens and women and making public spaces inclusive for literary activities,” Mr. Devidas added.