In News:

Lucknow has officially submitted its nomination to be recognised as a “City of Gastronomy” under the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), aiming to join Hyderabad as the only other Indian city to hold this title in the gastronomy category.

About the UCCN

• Established: 2004
• Purpose: To promote international cooperation among cities that use creativity as a key element for sustainable urban development.
• Focus Areas: Literature, Music, Crafts & Folk Arts, Design, Film, Media Arts, and Gastronomy.
• Key Goals:
  • Leverage the creative economy for sustainable development.
  • Encourage cultural diversity and resilience against urban challenges like climate change and inequality.
  • Promote collaboration across public, private, and civil society sectors.

UCCN and Sustainable Development

• UCCN supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by positioning culture and creativity at the heart of local development policies and planning.
• Member cities are expected to create innovation hubs, support local artists, and preserve cultural heritage.

India and the UCCN

As of 2023, 10 Indian cities are part of the network:

• Hyderabad – Gastronomy
• Jaipur – Crafts and Folk Arts
• Varanasi – Music
• Chennai – Music
• Mumbai – Film
• Srinagar – Crafts and Folk Arts
• Kozhikode – Literature
• Gwalior – Music (Recent entries include Kozhikode and Gwalior)

Lucknow’s Nomination: Highlights

• Nominated Title: City of Gastronomy
• Coordinated by: Department of Tourism and Culture, Lucknow
• Culinary Heritage: Awadhi cuisine, including dishes like nihari, kebabs, biryani, khasta, kulfi, jalebi, and puri-sabzi.
• Cultural Value: The city’s food is not just a tradition but a living culinary ecosystem, passed down through generations and practiced by diverse communities.
• Dossier Preparation: By renowned heritage conservationist Abha Narain Lambah.
• Verification: A field visit by UNESCO is expected as part of the evaluation process.

Global Cities of Gastronomy (Examples)

• Alba (Italy)
• Arequipa (Peru)
• Bergen (Norway)
• Belem (Brazil)
• Bendigo (Australia)

These cities, like Hyderabad, are recognised for their distinctive and sustainable culinary traditions.