Paris: The Turkish city of Kahramanmaras has been named a UNESCO City of Literature, becoming the first city in Trkiye to earn the designation. Kahramanmaras joined this esteemed network in the literature category, as announced by Metropolitan Mayor Firat Gorgel.

According to TRTworld.com, the decision was revealed in Paris during World Cities Day events. UNESCO Creative Cities are recognized as hubs where culture and creative industries serve as tangible drivers of development. Azoulay noted that by including 58 new cities, the network is enhanced, allowing creativity to bolster local initiatives, attract investments, and foster social cohesion.

This year, ten cities were awarded the title of UNESCO City of Literature. These include Aberystwyth (Wales), Abuja (Nigeria), Celje (Slovenia), Conakry (Guinea), Dumaguete City (Philippines), Gdansk (Poland), Kahramanmaras (Trkiye), Lund (Sweden), San Luis Potosi (Mexico), and Tangier (Morocco). With these new additions, the total number of UNESCO Cities of Literature has increased to 63.

Kahramanmaras was notably the epicenter of the severe twin earthquakes that hit southern Trkiye in February 2023. The disaster caused widespread destruction and resulted in thousands of deaths. Large parts of the city were destroyed, with significant damage to homes, schools, and cultural landmarks, leaving enduring social and economic impacts on the community.