As Kozhikode marks three years of ‘City of Literature’ recognition, writers seek more focus at local level

Unesco reviews the City of Literature status every four years to ensure that the literary standards are maintained.

This October 31 will mark the third anniversary of Kozhikode getting the Unesco’s ‘City of Literature’ tag, a first in the country. Even as the city Corporation is going ahead with events and collaborative programmes with other such cities across the world, a section of writers and cultural activists has sought more focused initiatives at the local level.

P. Suresh, writer, says that discussions, reading sessions, and book releases are being regularly held in different parts of the city over the past few years. However, some of them are not getting the visibility they deserve. “No efforts are being held to coordinate them. Also, there are very few accessible and affordable public spaces suitable for literature-related programmes. Cultural activists and writers are forced to rent private halls and auditoriums paying a heavy amount,” he adds.

Though the Corporation has its own building for cultural events at Anakkulam, where the ‘City of Literature’ has its office as well, cultural activists say that it is not easily accessible and there are vehicle parking issues. Mr. Suresh also seeks a permanent set up for book sellers, especially small publishing houses, to exhibit and sell their publications. The Corporation should take an initiative in this regard, he says.

K.J. Thomas, secretary, Beacon Calicut, a socio-cultural organisation, suggests setting up more reading corners in different parts of the city. “Places such as the Kozhikode beach should be utilised for the purpose. Weekly or monthly reading sessions can be held there,” he says. Mr. Thomas also seeks steps to encourage writers among school and college students and steps to help them publish their books. “There should be more local involvement. The Corporation should string together writers, cultural activists, and various organisations to make the ‘City of Literature’ concept more popular,” he adds.

A.K. Saritha, nodal officer, ‘City of Literature’ programme, says Kozhikode has been conducting collaborative events with 62 other ‘Cities of Literature’ across the world in the past three years. Mystery fiction writer Manjiri Prabhu recently stayed at ‘Greenway House’, the historic Devon holiday home of writer Agatha Christie in the U.K. It was hosted by Exeter ‘City of Literature’. The other writers who were part of similar residency programmes include Indu Menon, Arya Gopi, and M. Nandakumar, she says.

At the ‘Talking Cities Project’, a cultural exchange initiative conducted by Nottingham ‘City of Literature’, G.K. Sreelakshmi, K. Anagha, and N.P. Fameena represented Kozhikode. Daivamane, a poem written by Wayanad-based writer Bindu Irulam in the Jenu Kuruba language, was chosen at the International Mother Language Day exhibition held at Manchester City. The Corporation also instituted ‘City of Literature’ literary prizes and revived ‘kolaya’ discussions (literary debates held in house porches). The local events held include a reading session titled ‘Page against Machine’ organised in association with Norwich ‘City of Literature’, she says. Ms. Saritha expresses the confidence that when Unesco will review the tag after a four-year period in 2027, Kozhikode will definitely be part of the network again.

Meanwhile, admitting that more local events should have been held in the past three years, a Corporation official says that the civic body is planning to open up parks in the city for literature and music events. Reading corners are also in the pipeline, he adds.