Why in the News?
At the 43rd session of UNESCO’s General Conference held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Lucknow was officially designated a “Creative City of Gastronomy”, making it only the second Indian city after Hyderabad (2019) to receive this title.
About UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN):
- Aim: To promote the integration of cultural industries into economic, social, and environmental policies, strengthening innovation and cultural diversity.
- Establishment: Created by UNESCO in 2004 to foster global cooperation among cities leveraging culture and creativity for sustainable urban development.
- Creative Fields: Recognises excellence across 7 categories: Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts, Music, and Crafts & Folk Art.
- Membership Scope: Encompasses over 250 cities worldwide, selected through a rigorous UNESCO evaluation process assessing creativity, sustainability, and community engagement.
- Core Objectives:
- Encourage innovation-driven growth and cultural diversity.
- Facilitate knowledge-sharing, cultural exchange, and urban identity building.
- Support creative economy development and inclusive city policies.
- Collaborative Role: Serves as a global platform for member cities to share best practices, co-develop cultural initiatives, and enhance local creative ecosystems.
Creative Cities in India:
- Jaipur – Crafts & Folk Arts (2015)
- Varanasi – Music (2015)
- Chennai – Music (2017)
- Mumbai – Film (2019)
- Hyderabad – Gastronomy (2019)
- Srinagar – Crafts & Folk Arts (2022)
- Gwalior – Music (2025)
- Kozhikode – Literature (2025)
- Lucknow – Gastronomy (2025)
| [UPSC 2024] Which one of the following was the latest inclusion in the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of UNESCO?
Options: (a) Chhau dance (b) Durga Puja (c) Garba dance* (d) Kumbh Mela |
