Introducing the City of Literature Office
Joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in 2008, Melbourne is the first City of Literature in Australia and the second City of Literature in the world.
Hosted by The Wheeler Centre and the State Library of Victoria, the Melbourne UNESCO City of Literature Office is a joint initiative of Creative Victoria and City of Melbourne.
The Melbourne UNESCO City of Literature Office’s main role is to serve the City of Literature.
ABOUT US
Launched in 2014, the Office’s key role is to enable local and international exchange of literature, people and ideas within Melbourne City of Literature and the UNESCO Creative Cities network.
Aligned with the Creative City goals, the Office is the focal point for communications and reporting to UNESCO. The Office works with state-wide organisations to build capacity, make international connections and amplify Melbourne’s designation as a City of Literature.
The Office facilitates a range of initiatives with collaboration and connection in mind. Explore some of our past initiatives below:
- 20 Minute Cities (Digital Writers Festival/Emerging Writers Festival)
- Between the Lines
- Expedition Poetry (with Heidelberg)
- International Literary Programmers Roundtable
- Lit Map of Melbourne
- Poet Laureates of Melbourne
- Reading the City of Literature
- Slam-O-Vision
- Sleipnir travels (with Reykjavik City of Literature)
- The Stories We tell Ourselves (with Spread the Word & The Wheeler Centre)
- Tramlines
- Virtual Writers in Residence
WORKING WITH US
The Office’s goal is to make Melbourne the best-connected City of Literature. Through leveraging its designation, the Office is focused on developing international engagement, strengthening Victoria’s creative eco-system and supporting Melbourne’s global connections as a City of Literature.
Keen to know more about the Office and how it can work with you? Contact the Director of the Melbourne City of Literature Office, David Ryding.
The Office also occasionally calls out for applications for opportunities—please check here for any current opportunities.
Don’t forget to subscribe to the Melbourne City of Literature Office news alert to be notified of upcoming initiatives.
Fostering Freedom of Expression
UNESCO is mandated to protect and promote freedom of expression, both online and offline. Its Constitution calls on Member States to advance mutual knowledge and understanding between peoples through the “free flow of ideas by word and image.”
The Melbourne UNESCO City of Literature Office works closely with PEN Melbourne and supports the work of International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN)