Darllenwch yr erthygl yma yn y Gymraeg / Read this article in Welsh

Cymraeg

What is a UNESCO City of Literature?

First and foremost, gaining a UNESCO City of Literature designation means becoming part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. The network was launched by UNESCO in 2014 to support cities to use creativity and culture as key drivers in their development plans.

Through creativity in a variety of fields – from music to gastronomy, from film to architecture – these cities develop strong programmes to address issues in their areas of creative focus. At the same time, they also address issues of global importance, such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The network encourages cooperation between cities so that they can share experiences and solutions. It enables them to inspire one another and strengthen the impact of their economic, social and environmental policies.

It should be noted that a City of Literature designation is not a financial prize. The status does not bring with it any financial support from UNESCO, though it can be a catalyst to attract funding. One of its main advantages is to facilitate the exchange of ideas and raise the profile of literary creativity in the area for the benefit of all its citizens.

Aberystwyth Ceredigion becomes Wales’ first City of Literature.

Since UNESCO’s definition of a ‘city’ goes beyond customary definitions, we believed that Aberystwyth Ceredigion’s rich literary heritage made us suitable to make an application. And after 5 years of discussion and planning, a bid was submitted to UNESCO early in 2025.

The applications must be submitted by an elected mayor of a specific town or city. Here are the 5 Aberystwyth mayors who were in office during the bid’s development period. Left to right: Aberystwyth mayor and former mayors: Alun Williams; Talat Chaudhri, Kerry Ferguson; Emlyn Jones; Maldwyn Pryse.

On 31 October 2025, the Dinas Llên Partnership received the good news that Aberystwyth Ceredigion had been awarded the designation. A source of great joy!

Who is the Partnership?

Aberystwyth Town Council, Ceredigion County Council, Books Council of Wales, National Library of Wales, Prifysgol Aberystwyth University, University of Wales Trinity Saint David: CAWCS, LaF, WLE

What are the 6 headline projects?

One important section of the bid asked for 6 headline projects that would give direction to the activities of the new City of Literature. Following discussions and public meetings, the following headings were submitted:

  • Aim: Harness culture, language and literature to help us understand, bear witness and increase community resilience in a period of environmental crisis.

  • Aim: Ensure literature enriches everyone’s life throughout the City.

  • Aim: Help reverse a UK decline in love of books/reading and develop literacy levels for educational attainment and general wellbeing in the City.

  • Aim: Connect endangered languages to build resilience for sustainable linguistic diversity across the world.

  • Aim: Use our distinct literary heritage to help develop a sustainable tourism model that regenerates communities, language, culture and environment.

  • Aim: Strengthen Wales’s reputation and standing as a Nation of Sanctuary and Nation of Peace.

Where are we on the journey?

Immediately after the news of the designation, a bid was submitted to the Welsh Government for support to enable the Partnership to arrange administrative aspects of Dinas Llên and to lead on kick-starting initial projects relating to the 6 headings.

We have by now received official confirmation that the application has been successful, and we will be sharing more news about this initial work as it develops.

The next step for the Partnership is to seek support to lay the project’s long-term foundations, including employing a co-ordinator and setting up an independent entity in Dinas Llên’s name.

Diolch! Thank you!

A vote of thanks is due to everybody who has contributed ideas and encouraged the work of gaining the Dinas Llên designation for Aberystwyth Ceredigion.

The aim is to enable us to use this designation to draw attention to all the literary activities taking place in the area, and from that attention, grow such activities so that we can all feel a sense of pride in the way the area is recognised locally, nationally and internationally as ‘Dinas Llên’, UNESCO City of Literature.

Without doubt, this first year will be one of exploration and foundation-laying – and it will demand a combination of patience and enthusiasm. It is our hope that you will join us all the way along the journey!

Keeping in touch

Do please keep an eye on this page where we will be updating news about the project’s developments as they come about.

Also, if you know of relevant activities that are already taking place, please do let us know. By the same token, if you have ideas for projects you would like to organise and discuss, you’re very welcome to contact us:

Contact details: ymgyrch@dinasllen.cymru

NB: Please do bear in mind that we have no dedicated staff at the moment, so there may well be a delay before we can respond.