Melbourne UNESCO City of Literature Office

In 2008, Melbourne joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network when it was designated the first and only City of Literature in Australia, and the second in the world.

Melbourne’s designation as a UNESCO City of Literature is acknowledgment of the breadth, depth and vibrancy of the city’s literary culture. Melbourne supports a diverse range of writers, a prosperous publishing industry, a successful culture of independent bookselling, a wide variety of literary organisations and a healthy culture of reading and engagement in events and festivals.

Launched in 2014, the Office works largely behind the scenes towards the Creative City goals as well as being the focal point for communications and reporting to UNESCO. The Office role’s is to connect Melbourne as a City of Literature to the UNESCO Creative Cities network as well as use the benefits of being a member of this network to support and elevate the local literary sector. 

The Office has three broad areas of action that address the aims of the Creative City Network as well as Melbourne’s needs as a City of Literature.