Source: TH
Context:
Lucknow has officially been declared a UNESCO ‘Creative City of Gastronomy’ during the 43rd Session of the UNESCO General Conference, currently under way in Uzbekistan.
About UCCN:
- Established: 2004 by UNESCO to encourage international cooperation among cities investing in culture and creativity.
- Objective: Foster cultural innovation, sustainable urban growth, and support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Key Features:
- Encompasses 350+ cities worldwide across 7 creative fields: Gastronomy, Literature, Music, Film, Design, Crafts & Folk Arts, and Media Arts.
- Encourages cultural exchange, knowledge sharing, and capacity-building among cities.
- Supports creative economy growth, sustainable tourism, and inclusive urban planning.
- Protects intangible cultural heritage while aligning with UNESCO’s global cultural agenda.
- Cities commit to collaborative international projects and periodic progress reporting to maintain their designation.
Indian Cities Recognized under UCCN:
| City | Field of Recognition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Jaipur | Crafts and Folk Arts | 2015 |
| Varanasi | Music | 2015 |
| Chennai | Music | 2017 |
| Mumbai | Film | 2019 |
| Hyderabad | Gastronomy | 2019 |
| Srinagar | Crafts and Folk Arts | 2021 |
| Kozhikode | Literature | 2023 |
| Gwalior | Music | 2023 |
| Lucknow | Gastronomy | 2025 |
