The “City of Gentle People,” Dumaguete, has officially earned a historic distinction, being named one of the newest UNESCO Creative City of Literature. This prestigious designation, announced by UNESCO, places Dumaguete among 58 new cities globally celebrated for successfully promoting creativity as a powerful driver of sustainable urban development.
This landmark recognition is a testament to the city’s robust and long-standing literary culture. The successful bid was strongly supported by key local institutions, including Silliman University, which hosts the longest-running creative writing workshop in Asia, the DepEd-Dumaguete, and the National Museum of the Philippines-Dumaguete (NMP-Dumaguete), all of whom provided crucial technical support during the bid preparations.
The city’s commitment to nurturing its thriving literary scene is evident in the initiatives of its partners. Since 2024, the NMP-Dumaguete has actively supported this vision by expanding its Knowledge Nook and tirelessly promoting local literary works to cultivate the next generation of storytellers.
The new UNESCO status opens up exciting global avenues for Dumaguete. It will allow the city to participate in worldwide collaborations, cultural exchange programs, and, notably, propel its literary tourism initiatives. This recognition firmly establishes Dumaguete not just as a gentle gateway to the Visayas islands, but as a significant global hub where the art of writing and storytelling is cherished and drives community development.
