UNESCO’s Cities of Literature sweep up awards for their work to engage communities with literature

Reykjavik UNESCO City of Literature’s Reykjavik Reads Festival held annually during the month of October, received the 2014 Jónas Hallgrímsson Award on Icelandic Language Day. The award is given by the Icelandic Ministry of Culture and Education for outstanding projects in the field of language and literature and is named after one of Iceland’s most loved poets, Jónas Hallgrímsson, born on November 16, 1807.

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The Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature’s One Book Two Book Children’s Literature Festival was awarded the 2014 Collaboration Award from the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance. The award is presented to an organization in recognition of an outstanding project done in collaboration with other alliance members. The festival was produced in collaboration with the Iowa City Public Library, the Coralville Public Library, and the Iowa Children’s Museum, among others.

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Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature’s Great Scott! Campaign won the City Award from Creative Edinburgh, the support body for creative industry businesses and individuals in Edinburgh. The City Award recognises an outstanding creative contribution or activity that has promoted Edinburgh nationally or internationally. The Great Scott! Campaign saw the words of author Sir Walter Scott placed on the floor, walls and walkways of Edinburgh’s main train station, and distribution of 25,000 free copies of a specially created book, in multiple formats. The campaign marked 10 years of Edinburgh’s designation as a UNESCO City of Literature.

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