Gothenburg receives the award for its unique profile with a rich association and literary life with investments in reading promotion and international collaborations.
The title is permanent.
Axel Josefsson, (M) chairman of the municipal board welcomes the appointment and believes that it has become possible thanks to the public sector, academia, business and civil society together lifting Gothenburg as a city of literature.
- The appointment gives an international recognition of Gothenburg and Västra Götaland's extensive work in literature, reading and freedom of expression, he says in a press release.
"Nice cooperation behind the application"
It was in June that the city of Gothenburg, by decision of the municipal board, submitted its application to Unesco.
Behind the application were the University of Gothenburg and the Västra Götaland region as well as Författarcentrum Väst, Bokmässan and Litteraturhuset.
Non-profit literature actors have also been involved in various parts of the process.
- This appointment is the result of a fine collaboration between the city, region, university, the Book Fair and several literature associations.
Thus, we have laid the foundation for continuing to together lift and strengthen the literary Western Sweden, says Conny Brännberg, (KD), chairman of the Västra Götaland region's culture committee.
Jakarta and Vilnius on the list
Every other year, Unseco appoints new creative cities and on Monday, Gothenburg, together with 48 other cities such as Jakarta and Vilnus, was able to receive the title.
Together, they will now work to strengthen literature as an artistic expression and creative nourishment.