UNESCO Creative City Network
Context:
During the 43rd Session of the UNESCO General Conference in Uzbekistan, Lucknow has been officially declared a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.
UPSC Relevance:
UPSC PYQ:
Q. Which one of the following was the latest inclusion in the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of UNESCO?
[A] Chhau dance
[B] Durga puja.
[C] Garba dance
[D] Kumbh mela
About UNESCO Creative City Network:
- Today, cities are home to more than half of the world’s population and represent three quarters of its economic activity, including a large share of the creative economy.
- Established: 2004 by UNESCO.
- Objective: To promote cooperation among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development.
- Headquarters: Paris, France
The crucial role of cities in promoting sustainable development focused on people and local communities and stakeholders is notably recognized in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which includes among its 17 goals a specific objective to ‘make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable’. It also identifies culture and creativity as one of the essential levers for action.
- On World Cities Day 2025, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay designated 58 cities as new members of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).
With these new designations, the Network now includes 408 cities across more than 100 countries. For the first time, the UCCN welcomes Creative Cities of Architecture—a new creative field in addition to the seven existing ones.
UCCN Areas:
- Crafts and Folk Art
- Design
- Film
- Gastronomy
- Literature
- Media Arts
- Music
Indian Cities in the Network:
- Jaipur – Crafts and Folk Art
- Varanasi – Music
- Chennai – Music
- Mumbai – Film
- Hyderabad – Gastronomy
- Srinagar – Crafts and Folk Art
- Lucknow (2025) – Gastronomy
Cultural Heritage of Lucknow:
- Lucknow’s Awadhi cuisine evolved under Nawabi rule, combining Mughlai and regional Indian traditions.
- Dishes such as Tunday Kabab, Galouti Kebabs, Biryani, Korma, and Sheermal have international fame.
- Inclusivity: Its food culture blends Hindu, Muslim, and local traditions, reflecting India’s pluralistic ethos.