Wales’ first UNESCO City of Literature

Aberystwyth Ceredigion joins gobal network of Creative Cities

Today, 31 October 2025, Aberystwyth Ceredigion has become Wales’ first UNESCO City of Literature, joining a global network of 350 Creative Cities that have been recognised for their excellence in creative fields across the world’.

Aberystwyth Ceredigion joins over 50 Cities recognised by UNESCO for their contribution to literature, including Barcelona, Dublin, Seattle and Rio de Janeiro. The City of Literature designation also makes Aberystwyth Ceredigion the first UNESCO Creative City in Wales.

With literary culture at its heart, Aberystwyth Ceredigion has a vibrant infrastructure of festivals, bookshops, theatres, cultural events, lectures, centres of academic excellence and research, publishing, poetry and writing that connects all parts of the county. The new City of Literature was created after a compelling application by the Dinas Llên strategic partnership. The UNESCO designation brings together Aberystwyth and the wider county of Ceredigion to celebrate the centuries-old literary traditions of the area and its thriving bilingual cultural scene.

Professor Mererid Hopwood, of the Department of Welsh and Celtic Studies at Aberystwyth University and member of the Dinas Llên partnership said: “As the first area in Wales to be recognised by the UNESCO Creative City network, the significance of the designation announced today goes beyond Aberystwyth and the county of Ceredigion and on to a national and global stage. It’s an opportunity to reinforce the vibrant literary heritage that we enjoy right here as we share it with the world. We have a saying in Welsh that reminds us that winning a prize is when the work begins. We now look forward to taking on the responsibility that comes with this significant privilege.”

The Dinas Llên partnership was formed in 2021 to move forward a programme of research and local consultation and to prepare the application ahead of submission in March 2025. The partnership comprises Aberystwyth Town Council, Aberystwyth University, Books Council of Wales, Ceredigion County Council, the National Library of Wales and University of Wales Trinity Saint David (including The Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies, Wales Literature Exchange and Literature Across Frontiers).

Why Aberystwyth Ceredigion?

Aberystwyth Ceredigion might not constitute a city in the traditional sense, but the area’s rich literary scene, universities and national literary institutions means that it qualifies for a UNESCO Creative City designation.

Literature and creativity in many forms, and in both Welsh and English, are an integral part of everyday life here, for people of all ages and backgrounds. Literature is at our feet as we walk Aberystwyth Promenade. It adorns the Quay at Cardigan and the woodland trail in Llandre. Aberystwyth alone can claim a connection to over 300 poets and is the first Welsh town to employ a Town Poet.

Ceredigion is home to a high concentration of publishers, as well as to Welsh literary institutions of national and international importance including the National Library of Wales and the Books Council of Wales. The University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David is an international centre of excellence for Celtic Studies, and Aberystwyth University is world-renowned for its excellence in teaching and research in languages and literature, including Welsh, English and Creative Writing. Through Wales Literature Exchange and Literature Across Frontiers we connect Wales to the world and share literature from Wales with new audiences through translation.

Aberystwyth Ceredigion joins other Creative Cities around the world in recognising that creativity is a catalyst for sustainable development, focused on people, place and local communities.

Councillor Emlyn Jones, Mayor of Aberystwyth said: “It’s fantastic that Aberystwyth Ceredigion has been awarded this status, putting our county on a worldwide stage and celebrating our distinctive cultural and literary heritage. Literature is for everyone, and we’ve now joined a global network of cities that have creativity rooted in their local communities to create a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable future.

Literature and creativity help make Aberystwyth Ceredigion an amazing place to live, work, study and visit and we believe that being Wales’ first City of Literature will be a catalyst for further growth in the creative industries, benefit local businesses and help more people to discover us and our many stories. This designation belongs to everyone in Aberystwyth Ceredigion and there are so many opportunities to take part and share ideas – this is just the first step!”.

First Minister of Wales Eluned Morgan said: “Llongyfarchiadau Aberystwyth Ceredigion! Congratulations to Aberystwyth Ceredigion for becoming Wales’ first UNESCO Creative City and City of Literature.

“Wales is a land of creativity, made up of great authors, poets, singers and actors. Of course, many of these come from the Aberystwyth area and attended the University, and this announcement is testament to the vibrancy of the literary scene, in both Welsh and English, throughout the county.

“Achieving UNESCO City of Literature status is thoroughly deserved, and I am looking forward to seeing opportunities unfold and Wales’ new City of Literature flourish.”

UNESCO representatives sent the following message:

“Llongyfarchiadau / Congratulations to Aberystwyth Ceredigion on becoming Wales’ first UNESCO Creative City and City of Literature!

This mark of global recognition shines a light on the vibrancy and strength of Wales’s bilingual literary culture and its contribution to creativity nationally & internationally.

As part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, Aberystwyth Ceredigion joins a community that promotes inclusion, sustainability, and innovation through culture and creativity.

It demonstrates how local and international efforts can prioritise literature, helping to strengthen Wales and the UK’s cultural influence and their voice on the world stage.”

UK Ambassador to UNESCO, Anna Nsubuga
UK National Commission for UNESCO Chair, Professor Anne Anderson
Secretary-General of the UK National Commission for UNESCO, James Ömer Bridge

You can find out how you can get involved and keep up to date with Aberystwyth Ceredigion City of Literature at https://cityofliterature.wales/,on social media @AberystwythDinasLlen or search for ‘Aberystwyth City of Literature’.

Showcasing Wales at Frankfurt Book Fair: Publishers from Wales to visit the world’s largest content fair

Publishers from Wales will once again be promoting Welsh literature on an international stage at Frankfurt Book Fair this October. This is the third consecutive year that Wales has had a presence at Frankfurt, funded by Welsh Government via Creative Wales, and co-ordinated by the Books Council of Wales.
Frankfurt Book Fair takes place each year over five days in October and is the largest content fair in the world, with representation from countries from across the globe travelling to Germany to showcase the very best of their books and literature across all genres.

In 2024, this key cultural event attracted around 230,000 visitors with 4,300 exhibitors from 92 countries[1]. This year, 15 Wales-based publishers will be attending to meet representatives from other creative industries such as film and games, as well as other publishers, to discuss collaborations, rights and licensing, and build relationships.

 

Helgard Krause, Chief Executive of the Books Council of Wales said: “Thanks to funding from Welsh Government, the Wales in Frankfurt stand will return to Frankfurt again this year. The bilingual publishing sector in Wales forms part of the foundational economy which is a Welsh Government priority sector within the Creative Industries, and we’re delighted that we have been able to secure Wales’ presence at this major international event in the publishing calendar to promote the very best of our books and authors from Wales on an international stage.”

Jack Sargeant, Culture Minister said: “It’s great that Welsh publishers will once again have such a prominent presence at Frankfurt Book Fair, one of the world’s most important cultural events. Creative Wales and Books Council support for this important trade mission helps establish Wales’ vibrant publishing sector on an international stage, all whilst showcasing our rich literary heritage.

 

“With a mix of Welsh and English language literature and a wide array of content, our publishers represent the very best of Welsh creativity, and our presence at Frankfurt provides an invaluable platform for them to build new partnerships and reach global audiences. This is exactly the kind of support that helps our creative industries to continue to grow and thrive.”

Frankfurt Book Fair is open from 15–19 October 2025. You can find out more about the fair here: Frankfurter Buchmesse | Home

[1] https://www.buchmesse.de/en/about-us.