Lahore has held the title of ‘City of Gardens’ for a long time, owing to its beautiful gardens spread across the city. More recently, Lahore has been conferred another title—that of the ‘City of Literature’ by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in a ceremony held at Alhamra Art Center’s Burney Garden in Lahore.
UNESCO Confers City Of Literature Title on Lahore
For the past few years, public and private sectors have been tirelessly working towards improving the country’s image in the world. These efforts have been made to portray the image of Pakistan as a tourist-friendly country and all these efforts paid off when Pakistan topped Conde Nast Traveller’s list of best holiday destinations for 2020. Forbes, another international publication, also listed Pakistan among the world’s best under the radar tourist destinations for 2020. The third decade of the 21st century has begun with yet another achievement bagged by the country as Lahore has been declared as the ‘City of Literature’ by UNESCO owing to its rich culture, history and interest of people towards literature. The announcement was made at a ceremony held at Alhamra Art Center’s Burney Garden. UNESCO Director Patricia McPhillips, Dr. Firdos Ashiq Awan and Lahore Commissioner Zulfiqar Ahmed Ghuman attended the event.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister’s Public Diplomacy Twitter handle also celebrated the title, highlighting how it honours Lahore’s rich literary legacy that comprises generations of writers, poets and thinkers. The newly declared City of Literature hosts different events every year, such as Lahore Literary Festival (LLF), Faiz Festival and Lahore Biennale, to inspire the new generation of poets, writers and artists. The title adds value to the efforts of literary institutions and encourages them to keep on with what they are doing to promote talent.
UNESCO Director Patricia McPhillips also said at the event that Lahore is among the cities filled with rich culture and heritage and it has now become a part of the network of cities recognized by UNESCO for its literary status.
Many renowned personalities of the literary world have lived in Lahore including Bano Qudsia, Ashfaq Ahmed, Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Allama Iqbal, who inspired people through their prose and poetry. In this regard Mall Road, Lahore, is exceptionally important, owing to its status as the hub of intellectual gatherings. Pak Tea House Café, which was reopened after 13 years in 2013, has been a meeting place for writers, poets and literary enthusiasts since 1940, where they freely talk on various subjects and exchange their views on topics closed to their hearts. To date, it remains a popular literary spot in Lahore.
About Lahore
Holding two titles of the City of Gardens and now the City of Literature, Lahore has its significance because of the historic events that took place here and different eminent personalities who have lived here and contributed towards education, literature and poetry. It is the capital city of Punjab province of Pakistan and the second-largest city in the country.
Home to many historic buildings like Lahore Fort and Minar-e-Pakistan, Lahore has an abundance of Mughal-era architecture, which is still a wildly popular design when it comes to the construction of buildings in the city. Tourists from all over the country, as well as the world, visit the city which is full of life, traditions, hospitality and delicious foods. Among the most popular food streets in Lahore, Gawal Mandi food street reigns supreme. Due to rapid urban development in the city, new food streets have also developed in the city such as one on MM Alam Road.
About UNESCO
Established on 16 November 1945, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has 195 members, 8 associate members and more than 50 field offices across the world. UNESCO works to build a culture of peace, eradicate poverty and invite its members for intercultural dialogue. Through communication and dialogue between its members, UNESCO aims to achieve its global visions which also includes sustainable development and observance of human rights among others.
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