Lucknow Named UNESCO Creative City for Its Rich Culinary Heritage
IN NEWS
Lucknow Named UNESCO Creative City for Its Rich Culinary Heritage
Analysis
- Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar Pradesh, has been designated as a UNESCO Creative City under the ‘Gastronomy’ category.
- This recognition celebrates Lucknow’s centuries-old culinary traditions, especially its Awadhi cuisine, known globally for dishes such as kebabs, biryanis, kormas, and breads like sheermal and roomali roti.
- The inclusion highlights Lucknow’s contribution to preserving and promoting traditional food practices and its role as a living center of India’s composite cultural and gastronomic heritage.
- The announcement marks a major milestone in India’s soft power projection, recognizing the city’s ability to combine heritage, sustainability, and creativity in its culinary ecosystem.
Static / Background Information
- UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN):
- Established in 2004 to promote cooperation among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development.
- Covers seven fields: Crafts & Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts, and Music.
- As of now, over 350 cities worldwide are part of the UCCN.
- India’s Presence in UCCN:
- Other Indian cities previously included are:
- Jaipur – Crafts & Folk Art
- Varanasi – Music
- Chennai – Music
- Mumbai – Film
- Hyderabad – Gastronomy
- Srinagar – Crafts & Folk Art
- Gwalior – Music
- With Lucknow’s inclusion, India strengthens its representation in the Gastronomy category.
- Other Indian cities previously included are:
Updated – 01 Nov 2025 ; 08:51 AM | News Source – Deccan Herald