As Bremen, Okayama in Japan entered the UNESCO Cities of Literature Network in 2023. Masaaki Nagareo told us more about Okayamas focus on childrens literature, a famous folk tale and Okayamas plans for the future.
What makes Okayama a City of Literature?
Okayama City has cultural resources in literature historically. The folktale of Momotaro, who was born from a peach and fought with a dog, monkey, and pheasant against an ogre causing trouble for people, has been the most famous Japanese folktale. Its roots are in Okayama.
Joji Tsubota, who was born in Okayama City, was one of Japan's leading authors of children's literature in the 1930s. We promote creative activities by citizens through literary awards commemorating him for 40 years.
Okayama City has been implementing policies to promote literature. The City is characterised by its literary resources, particularly children's literature, which are rooted in history, and by its attempts to use these resources to activate the region through public-private partnerships, involving various generations.
As Bremen, you received the title City of Literature in 2023. How did the idea for the application come about and with which projects or ideas did you apply?
Authors, literary researchers, a newspaper company, publishers and bookstores submitted a Proposal for Further Promotion of Cultivation of Minds for Community Development through Literature to the City in March 2022. The Mayor decided to apply to join the UCCN. To achieve this goal, a new organisation, the Okayama Creative City of Literature Promotion Council was established in May 2022.
Our projects are the followings;
1. The Okayama Literature Festivals. Three main events are held in Okayama City:
- Okayama Literary School: Held in a former elementary school in the city centre, publishers and bookstores hold the event for professionals and citizens. More than 30 companies and organisations participate.
- Okayama ZINE Stadium: Creators make self-produced booklets and sell their works. Participants enjoy talking to each other about their works.
- Okayama Omotecho Book Street: Held in Okayama’s largest shopping district, Okayama Omotecho Book Street is an event for used bookstores and citizens to buy and sell a variety of used books. Major used book vendors also join the event to attract a wide range of customers.
2. Uttate: The Okayama Literary Magazine
Uttate is a booklet which describes the Creative City of Literature, Okayama. The City is filled with stories of the daily lives of its people. We have listened to, revisited, and hunted for these tales, which have been collected in this small booklet. Each little story represents our City’s history, culture and charm, and we want to pass them on.
Uttate is a word from shodo, or Japanese calligraphy, to describe “the moment when the ink brush first touches the paper.” It can also be used to indicate the beginning of something important or an attitude of readiness.
3. International Book Delivery Project
This Project aims to provide learning opportunities and improve the quality of education through the donation of books to children in various countries and regions living under harsh conditions. In collaboration with an international Non-Governmental Organisation, Shanti Volunteer Association, the City promotes volunteer activities to deliver picture books to areas that lack access to books and education.
More about the UNESCO City of Literature Okayama
What were your first steps after receiving the title and what are your plans for the future?
After we were designated as a member of UCCN, we organized a celebration with stakeholders of literature in March 2024! We announced the designation to citizens using newspapers and other media. We keep announcing our activities as the UNESCO City of Literature and holding events such as the Okayama Literature Festival. We want to continue to work with youth to make our projects more active.
In February 2026, we will hold an international meeting in Okayama City. We will invite several focal points of Cities of Literature.
How did the local literary scene react on the title?
Very positive. Publishers, bookstores, media are positively working for events and projects related to literature. Citizens’ writers participate in publishing Uttate; The Okayama Literary Magazine. Citizens’ writers were greatly motivated by joining the creation of the magazine.
What does it mean for Okayama to be part of UNESCO’s Creative Cities?
We aim to strengthen the creation and dissemination of cultural activities, and exchange knowledge and experiences with member cities of the UCCN.
Through the participation in UCCN, we expect to create opportunities for amateur and professional writers to contact with literary works outside of Japan and activate their creative activities. Such activities will generate entrepreneurial spirit in the bookstores and digital content field and result in stimulating local business and positive impacts on industries. To be part of UCCN would be helpful to cultivate citizens’ minds through literature.
In your opinion, what are the benefits of such a cultural exchange?
We think the cultural exchanges will encourage citizens to reevaluate the city through literature, and they will help to foster civic pride to deepen attachment to our city.
In Japan, there is a fairy tale that has some parallels to the Bremen Town Musicians, it’s called Monotaro. What is it about and what does it mean for Okayama?
The folktale of Momotaro, who was born from a peach and fought with a dog, monkey, and pheasant against an ogre causing trouble for people, has been the most famous Japanese folktale. It has widely spread among children as a picture book. It has fostered the spirit of supporting others and the affinity for animals in children. The folktale is our important cultural resource.
Momotaro and the Bremen Town Musicians are things in common which 4 characters collaborate together for their purpose. They are the stories in which each character takes advantage of his or her special skill. This can be a message to value the uniqueness of each one.
What do you think: What makes Bremen a City of Literature?
The Bremen Town Musicians is one of the most popular folktales in Japan. The folktale is widely known as a lively and fun story.
We guess Bremen has a wealth of cultural assets due to the prosperity of the Hanseatic League. People has been having ample opportunities to experience rich literature and culture. These multi-layered histories have made Bremen a City of Literature, we think.
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