Media Release
State Library Welcomes Announcement of City of Literature
26 June 2007
CEO & State Librarian Anne-Marie Schwirtlich has warmly welcomed the news that the Minister for the Arts, Lynne Kosky, will announce today – from the State Library of Victoria – the steering committee that will drive Melbourne’s bid to UNESCO as a City of Literature.
Ms Schwirtlich said that the State Library’s reputation as a great supporter and provider of literary events, services and collections made the Library the ideal site to launch Melbourne's bid.
‘The Library’s work in this field has been one part of what makes Melbourne a great City of Literature’, she said.
‘The Library was chosen to host the 2004 and 2006 Commonwealth Writers’ Prizes; it administers the prestigious annual Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards; it presents a host of programs that celebrate and promote Australian and international writing and writers; it tours author programs across the state; collects a stunning and diverse range of publications and literary treasures; and recently launched an exquisite online exhibition.’
UNESCO’s prestigious Creative Cities Network already includes Berlin, Buenos Aires and Montreal as Cities of Design and Bologna and Seville as Cities of Music.
Melbourne will submit a bid to UNESCO to join Edinburgh as a City of Literature.
The steering committee has been appointed to harness the strength of Victoria’s literary sector and drive the development of the bid to UNESCO.
Chaired by Crikey publisher Eric Beecher, the committee is representative of Melbourne’s dynamic literary sector and includes writers, academics, and representatives from retail, publishing and Government.
Anne-Marie Schwirtlich will serve on the committee and expressed her delight at being invited to do so.
‘One way in which Melbourne will demonstrate support for its bid is the new Centre for Books and Ideas at the State Library’, she said.
‘The centre – the first in Australia – will provide offices and meeting space for the Melbourne Writers Festival, Victorian Writers Centre, Australian Poetry Centre, Express Media and Emerging Writers Centre.’
In its bid to UNESCO, the steering committee is expected to emphasise Melbourne’s cultural assets – including the quality and diversity of literature, and the contribution of literature to Melbourne’s lifestyle and character.
The Steering Committee will submit Melbourne’s bid to UNESCO by October 2007.
Media inquiries
Matthew van Hasselt
Media relations coordinator
State Library of Victoria
Tel 03 8664 7263
Email mvanhasselt@slv.vic.gov.au
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