TCD Provost Welcomes Dublin’s UNESCO City of Literature Award
Posted on: 26 July 2010
The Provost of Trinity College Dublin, Dr John Hegarty welcomed the announcement of the designation of Dublin as a UNESCO City of Literature, one of only four in the world. The sought after accolade was bestowed by the Director General of UNESCO and recognises Dublin’s cultural profile and its international standing as a city of literary excellence.
“This City of Literature designation is a magnificent achievement for Dublin and for Ireland and will provide a great opportunity for Trinity to play a part in celebrating the rich heritage of its writers, from past greats such as Wilde, Swift, Goldsmith and Beckett to the creative genius of contemporaries such as Kennelly, Barry, Enright, Longley and Ní Chuilleanáin. It will also promote the development of new understanding of writing through research on the Library’s great holdings of printed books and manuscripts”, the Provost stated.
“The Trinity Long Room Hub Humanities research institute is already attracting international scholars to work on our collections and to share their knowledge and interests with colleagues in Dublin. The Oscar Wilde Centre for Irish Writing has a national and international profile for creative writing and plays a role in bringing the achievement and ambition of writers and scholars to the attention of a wider public at home and abroad”.
“As a university at the very heart of the city, this new international recognition of Dublin’s literary tradition will add fuel to Trinity’s plans in the Creative Arts, Technologies and Culture” the Provost concluded.
The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Gerry Breen, who received the formal notification from UNESCO said: ”I am absolutely delighted about this achievement – which confirms what Dubliners have known for years – this is a city that has always produced – and continues to produce – great writers”.
Detailed application was made to UNESCO last November by a steering and management group led by Dublin City Council’s library service and was subject to a rigorous vetting procedure. Partners in the submission included representatives from literary-related organisations as well as culture, arts, tourism, government, media and educational institutions across the city and country.
The designation as City of Literature, part of the UNESCO Creative Cities network, provides a unique platform for Dublin’s literary community and enables the city to increase its market share as a destination for business and pleasure – and Ireland as a creative, exciting, and vibrant nation. Dublin, UNESCO City of Literature has enormous potential for beneficial cultural and economic impacts not alone in the capital city, but in communities across the country.
For further information: http://www.dublincityofliterature.ie/