Norwich is England’s first UNESCO City of Literature
The City of Norwich has consolidated its position as England’s foremost literary city by becoming its first UNESCO City of Literature, joining an elite international network comprising Edinburgh, Melbourne, Iowa City, Dublin and Reykjavik. The UNESCO City of Literature accreditation lends international recognition to Norwich’s literary heritage, contemporary strengths and future potential in the field of literature, creative writing, reading and the literary arts. The flagship project of Norwich’s UNESCO City of Literature programme is the International Centre for Writing, a partnership between WCN, the University of East Anglia and others in a building granted by Norwich City Council. In April 2012 the project, designed to become a world leading centre for creative writing, won £3,000,000 from Arts Council England’s capital programme. Norwich UNESCO City of Literature accreditation will also enable WCN and its partners to increase economic investment in the region through an innovative and popular tourism offer based on Norwich’s literary heritage; promote international connections, development and collaboration and engage young people with reading and writing in new and exciting ways. One of the first UNESCO projects will be the publication of new translations of England’s only mediaeval Hebrew poet, Meir ben Elijah, whose work lay lost in the Vatican Archives for many centuries and whose voice speaks to us directly and remarkably from 13th century Norwich. As celebrated in the bid, Norwich has a literary tradition going back more than 900 years that includes being home to the first book published in English by a woman (Julian of Norwich), the first recognisable novel, the first blank verse, the first provincial library and newspaper, the first British MA in Creative Writing (whose first student was Ian McEwan), the first UK City of Refuge for persecuted writers and the busiest and most used public library for each of the past five years. The City of Literature status is designated through UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network which aims to harness the creativity of cities by sharing ideas and best practice for artistic, social and economic development through culture. The status is permanent and was won after a bidding process led by Writers’ Centre Norwich that involved writers, readers and key partners including Arts Council England, Norwich City Council, University of East Anglia, Norfolk County Council, the British Centre for Literary Translation and others. Writers’ Centre Norwich will celebrate the UNESCO accreditation in June this year when it welcomes Nobel Laureate Professor J.M. Coetzee, Michael Ondaatje, Jeanette Winterson and many other outstanding writers from around the world to its Worlds Literature festival. Writer and Professor of Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia, Giles Foden says: “Coming to Norwich to take up my post as Professor of Creative Writing was like coming home [...]It is truly one of the homes of literature in Britain. And not at all just on account of the 40-year history of creative writing at the University of East Anglia where I teach. There are hundreds of writers living in the city, fabulous bookshops and, more importantly, thousands of readers. It’s great that this honour from UNESCO will put Norwich on the world stage.” Visit www.norwichcityofliterature.org for further details, information, online versions of the bid document and images of Norwich and Writers’ Centre Norwich. More about Writers’ Centre Norwich and UNESCO City of Literature Writers’ Centre Norwich led the bid for UNESCO City of Literature status. We are an agency interested in the artistic and social power of creative writing, and the work we do reflects this: • We help aspiring and emerging writers through successful workshop and professional development schemes • International writers find new audiences through us and readers are introduced to new works and ideas • Major events with writers including Ian McEwan, J.M. Coetzee and Martin Amis inspire, whilst the Worlds roundtable Salon allows a rare space for writers to think and reflect together • In June 2007 Norwich became the UK’s first City of Refuge, and the programme runs through Writers’ Centre Norwich. The International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN) is an international association which exists to support writers at risk of physical and economic persecution and to offer them a place of safety and support, as well as time to write (www.icorn.org) • We are developing the plans for a new International Centre for Writing in Norwich Find out more at www.writerscentrenorwich.org.uk Frequently asked questions What is a UNESCO City of Literature? The Creative Cities Network was launched by UNESCO in October 2004. It aims to enhance the creative, social and economic potential of cultural industries and promote UNESCO’s goals of cultural diversity. The network is structured around seven themes which are chosen by the cities according to their strengths and preference for a specific creative industry sector to which they devote their talent and energy. The seven themes are: Literature, Cinema, Music, Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Gastronomy and Media Arts. The UNESCO City of Literature accreditation means that Norwich joins an elite group of six cities world wide whose literary heritage, contemporary strengths and future commitment to social, economic and cultural growth through the literary arts are recognised as world leading. The accreditation is permanent and non-competitive. It does not come with any financial reward, but the international network of creative cities will support us to develop the accreditation to deliver very real benefits to the residents of and visitors to Norwich over the coming years. Edinburgh, the first City of Literature, has information and links to all 6 Cities of Literature here. Why Norwich? Norwich has a sensational literary past, from the first battlefield dispatch (1075) to the first woman published in English (Julian of Norwich – C15th), the first recognisable novel (C16th), the first blank verse (C16th), the first printed plan of an English city (C16th), the first published parliamentary debates (Luke Hansard – C18th), the largest concentration of published dissenters, revolutionaries and social reformers (C18th /19th ) including Tom Paine and the 30 million bestseller, Anna Sewell; the first provincial library (1608), first municipality to adopt the Library Act (1850), first provincial newspaper (1701), first British MA in creative writing (the first student of the first MA was Ian McEwan (1971)), the UK’s first City of Refuge (2006) for persecuted writers and a founding member of the International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN) and to cap it all, the Norfolk & Norwich Millennium Library (C21st) has the highest number of visitors and users in the UK – by far. And that’s to leave out an extraordinary roll-call of great writers, publishers, printers and innovators – as many today as in the past – where literature really has been a force for positive change. There is a very strong contemporary creative writing and poetry scene and much literary talent in the city which is taken into schools and projects which involve people of all ages and origins. The City of Literature will help to develop and attract such talent in the future. The bid put forward a compelling and irresistable case for Norwich as the first English City of Literature. Read the full bid here Who Runs Norwich UNESCO City of Literature? The Norwich UNESCO City of Literature accreditation is owned by Norwich City Council and the agreement is signed by Norwich’s Lord Mayor. As the organisation behind the bid, Writers’ Centre Norwich is in charge of how the accreditation is used and the programmes developed under the UNESCO umbrella. WCN (and the International Centre for Writing) will develop a programme of UNESCO City of Literature events and activities that are badged with and backed by the accreditation. How do people get involved with Norwich UNESCO City of Literature? If people have ideas of their own, or would like their organisations to be involved in UNESCO City of Literature activities, they should, in the first instance, send an e-mail for Chris Gribble – Writers’ Centre Norwich’s CEO to: [email protected] About the Flagship Project: The International Centre for Writing The ICW’s physical realisation will result from the renovation and development of Gladstone House, a C18th Grade II Georgian house, granted to WCN by Norwich City Council on a 25 year lease. Our proposals create teaching, conference, event, office and writers’ spaces in the main house, two Writers in Residence apartments in the upper floors of the annexe, a café, and a 120 seat events space in a new structure in the garden. Arts Council England, University of East Anglia and Norfolk County Council are partners in the project that is due to open to the public in April 2016. For a visual of the completed building please see here: http://ashsak.com/international-centre-for-writing/ Leading the way for literature in the UK, the International Centre for Writing supports inspiration, enjoyment, understanding and transformation through creative writing, reading, translation and education in a world class literary city. The International Centre For Writing FAQ • Who are the partners? The International Centre for Writing is led by Writers’ Centre Norwich. Its key partners and stakeholders are Arts Council England, University of East Anglia, Norwich City Council and Norfolk County Council. • When will the ICW open? The planned opening date is April 2016. • How much will it cost? The campaign total to realise the ICW ambitions is £7 million. We are already over half way to that total and will commence the public phase of our campaign in early 2013. • Why Norwich? Writers’ Centre Norwich, UEA and its partners are forging a new compact for literature between the arts, higher education and the private sector. A unique partnership supported by a city with an immense literary history and a City and County Council convinced of the civic, social and economic value of culture for all those who live in, work in and visit the city and county. Find out more at www.writerscentrenorwich.org.uk CONTACTS AND PARTNERS Writers' Centre Norwich Writers’ Centre Norwich seeks to lead on the exploration of the artistic and social power of creative writing through pioneering and collaborative projects with writers and other partners, regionally, nationally and internationally. For Further Information Please Contact Katy Carr, Marketing Manager: [email protected] T 01603 877177 M 07919 312155 Chris Gribble, Chief Executive: [email protected] T 01603 877177 M 07800 662879 www.writerscentrenorwich.org.uk The University of East Anglia The University of East Anglia (UEA) is an internationally renowned university based in a campus that provides top quality academic, social and cultural facilities to over 14,000 students. The Creative Writing MA at UEA was the first of its kind in the country. Among its graduates are Kazuo Ishiguro, Anne Enright, Tash Aw, Tracy Chevalier and Adam Foulds. Tutors on the course have included former poet laureate Andrew Motion, Rose Tremain, WG Sebald, Patricia Duncker and Angela Carter. Current tutors include Giles Foden, Lavinia Greenlaw, George Szirtes, Trezza Azzopardi and Amit Chaudhuri. For further information or to arrange interviews, please contact Lisa Horton, media relations manager, at the UEA Communications Office on 01603 593496/ [email protected] Arts Council England Arts Council England champions, develops and invests in artistic and cultural experiences that enrich people’s lives. They support a range of activities across the arts, museums and libraries – from theatre to digital art, reading to dance, music to literature, and crafts to collections. Great art and culture inspires us, brings us together and teaches us about ourselves and the world around us. In short, it makes life better. Between 2011 and 2015, Arts Council England will invest £1.4 billion of public money from government and an estimated £1 billion from the National Lottery to help create these experiences for as many people as possible across the country. www.artscouncil.org.uk For press enquires please contact Emma Cook, Arts Council England, East / 01223 4544455 / mob: 07872420169 / [email protected] Norwich City Council Norwich City Council is the local authority for the city of Norwich. For any general communications enquiries, contact communications manager Richard Balls on 01603 212991 or email [email protected] Norfolk County Council Norfolk County Council is the local authority for Norfolk. They provide a wide range of services for people who live, work, do business or visit here. They include children's services such as schools, adult social services, highway maintenance, waste disposal, libraries, museums, fire and rescue, economic development and trading standards. For media enquiries, please contact NCC press office on 01603 222973. |
Quotes“I'm delighted by the news. Literature has deep roots in the beautiful city of Norwich and it was a natural first choice for UNESCO. I'm happy too for personal reasons - Norwich is where my own writing life began. Writers have known for centuries that Norwich is a dreamy city.”
Ian McEwan, May 2012 Chris Gribble, Writers’ Centre Norwich’s Chief Executive says: “The UNESCO status and the International Centre for Writing will put the city on the world’s literary map for generations to come and enable us to continue Norwich’s proud literary tradition. Writers’ Centre Norwich and all our partners will work hard to ensure the UNESCO accreditation brings real and lasting benefits to all those who live in, work in and visit our city and region.” Councillor Brenda Arthur, Leader of Norwich City Council says: "I am immensely proud that Norwich is the first English city to gain this amazing accolade, making us one of only six cities in the world to hold this title. This is recognition of the world wide reputation of Norwich as a centre for literary excellence, and acknowledgment that literature and literacy are powerful tools which can inspire people and help change lives." Writer Philip Pullman says: “Congratulations on the success of Norwich’s bid. Thoroughly deserved.” Vice-Chancellor of the University of East Anglia, Edward Acton says: “I am delighted that Norwich is to be recognised at this very highest level. It is tremendous news for the city, the University and the region. This international honour will reinforce UEA’s world-renown as a centre for literary excellence. Our Creative Writing MA, which has helped to develop the careers of many contemporary authors, was awarded a Queen’s Anniversary Prize earlier this year. For Norwich to be named England’s first UNESCO City of Literature is a magnificent accolade, which will further enhance both the literary talent we attract and the literary energy we radiate locally, nationally and internationally.” Barry Stone, Cabinet Member for Cultural Services at Norfolk County Council says: "This is absolutely brilliant; a fantastic achievement and an incredible honour for Norwich and Norfolk. Our writers have made enormous contributions to literature, politics and social reform over the course of hundreds of years; contributions that have gone on to change the world. This international award not only recognises their outstanding efforts but also puts Norwich and Norfolk on the global stage, and gives us great hope for the future in that we can inspire, encourage and do everything possible to help our writers of tomorrow." Graham Creelman, Chair of Writers' Centre Norwich says: "This fantastic announcement is a recognition of the special status of Norwich as a city that, over the centuries, has cared deeply about writers and writing. It builds on Norwich's existing status as a City of Refuge- for the right to think and write freely- and as the home of the UEA's world renowned creative writing programme. Writers' Centre Norwich are proud to have facilitated the successful bid, and look forward to providing a physical home for the activities that the status of a Unesco City of literature will bring." Writer and Professor of Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia, Giles Foden says: “Coming to Norwich to take up my post as Professor of Creative Writing was like coming home [...]It is truly one of the homes of literature in Britain. And not at all just on account of the 40-year history of creative writing at the University of East Anglia where I teach. There are hundreds of writers living in the city, fabulous bookshops and, more importantly, thousands of readers. It’s great that this honour from UNESCO will put Norwich on the world stage.” |
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