Melbourne a ‘City of Literature’
It’s official! Melbourne is only the second city in the world to have been awarded ‘City of Literature’ status by UNESCO. Edinburgh received this status in 2004. The centrepiece of Melbourne’s bid was the plan to establish a Centre for Books and Ideas at the State Library of Victoria, expected to be completed in the middle of 2009. Read more here.
Mrs Sweeney
Image ; http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2b/Melbourne_City_Misty_Skyline_Federation_Square.jpg/800px-Melbourne_City_Misty_Skyline_Federation_Square.jpg 21/8/08
August 22nd, 2008 at 9:29 am
This is good news, but I don’t really think that Melbourne is a city renowned for literature. I mean, what gives it it’s honour to be a “City of Literature”? All we have is a state library. What else do we have to get this award?
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:41 am
Well for a start Gilla, this city has spawned many great writers – you probably haven’t yet read works by Miles Franklin, George Johnston, Helen Garner, Steven Carroll or Sonya Hartnett, but hopefully you’ll enjoy their writing in the years to come.
As for facilities – the Centre for Books and Ideas is an exciting concept which will augment the literary culture which already flourishes in Melbourne. We host a great Writer’s Festival every year, we have the only Centre for Youth Literature in Australia, and we have some wonderful bookshops and …dare I say…school libraries in this city!
GO MELBOURNE!
August 25th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Well, I see your point, I’m going to the Writers festival on Tuesday to see Robert Muchamore, so that’ll be good. So I think I’ll change my mind about Melbourne deserving the award.