Dumaguete, The Philippines | Designated as a City of Literature by UNESCO

 Dumaguete, a vibrant centre on Negro Island in the southern Philippines, best known for its prestigious Silliman University, the first Protestant and American university in the country and Asia, its many historical landmarks like the Dunaguete Belfry, the Chinese Bell Church, its proximity to natural attractions such as Apo Island and Twin Lakes of Balinsasayao, also famous for its vibrant culture, and recognized as the ”City of Gentle People” has been designated as a City of Literature by UNESCO. 

This relevant designation places Dumaguete within the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Creative Cities Network (UCCN) for literature that recognizes the city significant literary heritage and ongoing activity in the literature field.

As part of the network Dumaguete will collaborate with other Creative Cites of Literature to promote the power of literature in urban developments. 

The city’s literary achievement are supported by Silliman University National Writers Workshop, the longest - running in the Asian continent, with its Library, which houses a large collection of approximately 100.000 volumes, other notable literary landmarks and a strong literary tradition.

The storytelling tradition of Dumaguete is reflected in milestones such as Sands & Coral (one of the country’s oldest literary folios founded in 1948), the first Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing program in the Philippines (1958) and the SU National Writers Workshops established in 1962, the oldest of its kind in Southeast Asia. 

Dumaguete has also produced numerous national literary award winners, including Palanca laureates, various writers have been widely published, earned national recognition, and contributed to the country’s literary canon, and boasts two national artists of relevant prestige such as Edith Tiempo for Literature and Eddie Romero for Film. 

The city is also known as the “Cities of Stories” highlighted through its annual literary festival celebrating narratives that shape the city’s cultural identity. 

Newer creative initiatives continue to enrich the city’s literary culture, including the Buglas Writers Guild, Pinspired, Beetzee, and Lutas Film Festival, Youth Advocates Through Theatre Arts, and the Belltower Project. 

The Philippines National Commission for UNESCO, together with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), endorsed Dumaguete for the Creative City of Literature designation late last year. 

Dumaguete Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria said that no other Philippines city of comparable size can claim this and he thanked DTI Negros Oriental and Buglas Writers Guild for initiating this bid with the Dumaguete LGU, celebrating this designation as a huge achievement for the city of Dumaguete.

The Mayor added that this strong identity linked to literature is reflected in the Sandurot Festival, which honours Dumaguete’s history as a cultural “melting pot” and  that the city will work to uphold the distinction and further strengthen its identity as City of Literature.

Former DTI Creative Industries Program Manager Anton Gabila said UNESCO recognized Dumaguete’s strong community of local writers who are competitive on the global stage and he cited SU Assistant Professor Ian Rosales Casocot, a multi - awarded writer and 2023 Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards honoree. 

Link 
https://pia.gov.ph/news/dumaguete-named-unesco-creative-city-for-literature/