Gdańsk, Poland | Awarded as a UNESCO City of Literature

Gdańsk, a vibrant port city on the Baltic coast of northern Poland, and capital of the Pomeranian Voivodenship, a historically rich Polish centre known for its beautifully rebuilt colourful Old Town, stunning Hanseatic architecture, significant WWII/Solidarity history, famous as a relevant hub for the world’s amber trade, offering a great mix of culture, relaxation, and exploration has been awarded the UNESCO City of Literature.

The title is part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), which recognizes cities that excel as centres of literary activity and places Gdańsk as Poland’s third city after Kraków known for its literary festivals and vibrant book market, which received the honour in 2013, and Wroclaw, which boasts a thriving literary scene with numerous bookstores, publishers, and major literary events, also became World Book Capital nine years ago, awarded with this title in 2019.

Gdańsk’s features as a UNESCO City of Literature stem from its more than relevant history of free expression, with city recognized as the birthplace of Solidarity movement in the 1980s that cemented its association with free speech, a core value for the UNESCO program. 

The Polish city boasts  a robust literary scene with numerous libraries, publishers, and cultural events, and a focus on using literature to build engaged communities and featuring initiatives like the House of Literature, a dedicated institution managing the UNESCO program, fostering creativity and community. 

In addition Gdańsk is very active with its online platform “Gdańsk Miasto Literatury”( Gdańsk City of Literature) which serves as a digital magazine supporting local writers, critics, events, artists scholarships, libraries, bookstores, and readers through various programs.

A further factor elevating the relevance of Gdańsk in the literature sphere is its participation in the ICORN network, an independent organisation of cities and regions which offers shelter and scholarships to endangered writers.

Gdańsk also launches diverse programs promoting reading, critical thinking, and civic engagement which are central to the city’s strategy. 

The unique architecture and vibrant atmosphere oif this Baltic city with its historic buildings, canals and seaside landscapes provide inspiration, as seen in works by authors like Günter Grass with its famous Danzig Trilogy (The Tin Drum, Cat and Mouse, Dog Years), exploring German - Polish identity and history port city setting. 

Contemporary Polish writers like Stefan Chwin known for works like "Hanemann" and "Death in Danzig", where he portrays the city’s layered history, particularly the transition from German Danzig to Polish Gdańsk and Pawel Huelle  who writes about the city’s unique social fabric and post - war reality, as seen in "Who Was David Wieser ?" and "Cold Sea Stories" works, highlighted the literary appeal of the city.

Both writers use Gdańsk as a vivid and significant backdrop, examining its complex history and cultural palimpsest of German and Polish influences, a city which also nowadays continues to inspire with its incomparable charm.  

At the Artus Court, historic building located at Długi Targ 44 in the centre of  Gdańsk, which used to be the meeting place of merchants and a centre of social life  Mayor Aleksandra Dulkiewicz called the recognition a “great joy” and a source orf pride for those who worked on the bid.

City spokeperson Marta Formella said joining UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network open new partnerships, wider promotion for local authors, illustrators and translators, access to residency programs, and participation in pilot initiatives that harness creativity. 

In essence Gdańsk with its unique charm combines its historical legacy with modern initiatives, making words and literature a vital part of its identity and future development.

Link 

https://tvpworld.com/89782308/gdansk-named-unesco-city-of-literature-joins-krakow-wroclaw