Press Release

UNESCO City of Literature – A recognition of Dublin and an opportunity for increased cultural tourism

Great tribute is due to generations of gifted Irish writers - Hanafin

“The city of Dublin being awarded the prestigious UNESCO City of Literature is a great recognition of the vast literary wealth for which we are renowned and will be a welcome boost for cultural tourism in the capital city in the coming years” said Mary Hanafin T.D., Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport today (26^th July 2010).

Dublin becomes the world’s fourth UNESCO City of Literature, part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network which was launched in 2004. This award is a permanent designation and has been led by the city library service of Dublin City Council.

Minister Hanafin was speaking at the announcement by Dublin’s Lord Mayor Gerry Breen at the Grand Canal Theatre, Dublin. “Dublin has been awarded this accolade because of the rich historical literary past of the city, the vibrant contemporary literature, the variety of festivals and attractions available and because it is the birthplace and home of literary greats.

Names such as Swift, O’Casey, Wilde, Shaw, Behan, Beckett and Joyce are synonymous with Dublin and there are reminders of their great literary works throughout the city – which captures both scholars and tourist imaginations when they visit the city.

Dublin’s literary tradition continues to flourish with current writers achieving great acclaim internationally – including Colm Tobín, Sebastian Barry, Anne Enright, Roddy Doyle, John Banville to name just a few. Novelists including Meave Binchy, Patricia Scanlan, Marian Keyes, John Boyne, Joseph O’Connor, along with contemporary Irish poet Thomas Kinsella and playwright Dermot Bolger are all native Dubliners.

Each year Dublin welcomes Irish people and visitors alike to experience all that is good about our famous city – the history, culture, friendliness of the people and the welcome that we offer. For literary enthusiasts Dublin has so much to offer including the National Library of Ireland, which holds the world’s largest collection of Irish documentary material including books, manuscripts, newspapers, periodicals, drawings, photographs and maps.

Dublin City Public Libraries and Irish Collections hold an extensive range of books relating to Dublin and Ireland which are regularly added to. The Chester Beatty library is both an art museum and library, hosting an amazing collection of Islamic manuscripts, oriental art and some of the earliest texts of the Bible and other early Christian manuscripts. The Dublin Writers Museum has displays relating to Irish literature in all its forms from around the 10^th century to the present day are on permanent show. Exhibits include paintings, manuscripts, letters, rare editions and mementos of many of Ireland’s famous authors.”

Minister Hanafin said that each year libraries around the globe participate in choosing the winner of the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, the largest of its kind, which is open to books written in any language. “More recently Dublin has participated in the One City: One Book project which encourages everyone in the city to read the same book in the month of April each year. The annual Dublin Writers Festival presents the best of both Irish and international writing through readings, discussion and insights from the best writers from Ireland and the world, while the Dublin Book Festival celebrates the best of contemporary Irish publishing.

As demonstrated last autumn at Farmleigh, the extraordinary profile and continued excellence of our artistic output is undeniably beneficial to our country in terms of cultural tourism, international reputation, esteem and goodwill. It is also important from the point of view of the economy generally and the revenue it raises through direct and indirect employment that it creates.”

Minister Hanafin concluded by saying “Dublin is now part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network and there will be numerous opportunities to showcase all that is happening on the cultural and literary fronts in the months and years ahead. Being one of only four cities in the world to achieve the status of UNESCO City of Literature, will enable Dublin to increase its market share of tourists and attract more people to both the city and the island of Ireland.”

A steering group has been formed to help develop this designation which includes representation from the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Dublin City Council, Culture Ireland, Dublin Tourism, Fáilte Ireland, The Arts Council, The Abbey Theatre, The National Library, the media, the universities, literature organisations and writers.

ENDS

Click here to listen to Minister Hanafin speaking about Dublin being designated UNESCO City of Literature