Edinburgh: City of Literature

Edinburgh is UNESCO City of Literature since 2004 and has helped the network grow since the beginning. Keira Brown, working at the Edinburgh City of Literature Trust, told us more about international exchanges, upcoming projects and the 20th anniversary celebrations.

What makes Edinburgh a City of Literature and since when does it have the title?

The Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust is a charity specialising in literature, advocacy and international engagement. We came up with the title and concept and took it to UNESCO twenty years ago in October 2004, and succeeded in becoming a City of Literature that very moment. 

We believe that literature in its broadest sense enriches the soul and brings joy, and that it is a true way to understand and celebrate ourselves, our city and our nation. Through our work Edinburgh was designated the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature being the founding city in an international network of UNESCO Cities of Literature. Over 17 years we have helped grow a global network of international literary cities, for the benefit of writers and literature professionals, bringing opportunities for paid commissions, supporting their creative practice and broadening their networks.

How did the title effect the local literary scene?

Our office was set up in 2005, shortly after designation in October 2004. As the only UNESCO City of Literature in the world, we didn’t have a model to follow, so it grew from existing resources and partnerships. Put simply, we’re all about connecting you to Scotland’s story. By helping people discover the books, stories, writers, literary heritage and the organisations that make us a UNESCO City of Literature, we believe our projects are increasing people’s access to literature, supporting creatives, building international opportunities and helping to combat inequalities.

What is your focus as a City of Literature?

At our heart we want Edinburgh to be a community of readers, writers and storytellers where everyone can experience the joy and the power of words. We want us to be a city that values literature and is connected to the world.

What projects are you currently implementing?

We are just about to put a call out for another round of the Writer's Room programme, which offers a paid desk residency for writers in Edinburgh, and we are working with students from both Napier University and Edinburgh College of Art on fantastic creative projects also. There will be more in the pipeline that we can reveal all in due course.

What does it mean for your city to be part of UNESCO’s Creative Cities?

As a UNESCO City of Literature, Edinburgh is part of a network of 53 Cities of Literature. We use those links to create opportunities for Scottish writers, and particularly those from Edinburgh. Through our work writers have opportunities to work internationally – to apply for residencies, submit their work to develop professionally, or be part of creative commissions across cities globally. This is about us providing paid work or rare opportunities, which help writers develop their skills, networks, and offer time and space to focus on their creative practice. This is what's great about being part of the Creative Cities too, the opportunities it presents for our creatives.