About the Creative City: 

Historically significant literature has been written and collected In Heidelberg for over 700 years. The foundation of the University of Heidelberg in 1386 marks the starting point of the unique cultural history of Heidelberg as a city of thinkers and poets. The German volumes of the famous Renaissance library 'Biblioteca Palatina' still remain at Heidelberg University, and are currently being digitalized. At the turn of the 18th to the 19th century, the Romantic literary period was shaped in Heidelberg. Numerous philosophers and sociologists developed an interdisciplinary discourse that is still alive today.

Presently, Heidelberg is home to approximately 200 writers, 45,000 students from all over the world and a large number of publishers, bookshops (1.5 per 10,000 residents), antiquarian bookshops and renowned translators.

Heidelberg’s creativity makes it a unique economic player in Germany. The cultural and creative sector represents a far higher part in the overall economic performance of the city – over a third of the sector’s income is from the literature and publishing business – higher than any other city in the country. In 2013, a centre for the creative economy, the Centre of Creative Industries, was set up to help start-up businesses in the literary field.

Along with projects in the field of “text - language - philosophy”, Heidelberg also engages in unique initiatives in dance, art and music. Together with the neighbouring city of Mannheim, UNESCO City of Music, Heidelberg with its intergenerational and cross-divisional projects, joins the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as a truly interdisciplinary city.

Added Value: 

As a Creative City of Literature, Heidelberg envisages:

  • involving all actors (people, institutions…) in Heidelberg with a professional link to literature in the activities of the UCCN;
  • supporting the local cultural and creative industries and strengthening the regional literature market with a view to promoting sustainable urban development;
  • highlighting the role of literature within the cultural diversity of Heidelberg;
  • inviting cultural institutions and artists from other disciplines to participate in joint productions combining literature with music, dance, visual arts, film and media arts;
  • organizing interdisciplinary projects that combine the arts with the humanities and natural sciences in corporation with the University of Heidelberg;
  • ensuring the accessibility of cultural education to all citizens; and
  • developing Heidelberg’s profile as an interdisciplinary city of culture, open to cooperative projects with creative cities of all genres.
Member since: 
2014
Contact: 
Dr. Andrea Edel, Department of Cultural Affairs City of Heidelberg, unesco.creative.city@Heidelberg.de