In 2015, a group of individuals and organisations in Nottinghamshire were successful in the bid to be recognised as a UNESCO City of Literature, part of the International Cultural Cities network. Since the designation was awarded, Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature has been an active member of Nottinghamshire’s creative scene, organising events, creating opportunities and acting as a platform for local creatives. 

The University of Nottingham, Visit Nottingham and Nottinghamshire and Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature will be unveiling their print and digital map of Nottinghamshire’s literary past and present in March 2026. The map will enable residents and tourists to explore Nottinghamshire’s literary history. The map will be officially launched at a celebration event in March.

Following the success of the 2024 International Youth Day event, the 2025 event helped young creatives to forge links with our International sister Cities of Literature and local Nottinghamshire organisations. The day offered emerging creatives the chance to discuss their career paths and explore what a creative career meant to them.

We took to the streets of Nottingham with an anniversary bus. (Image credit: Tom Platinum Morley.) 

In November 2025 Nottingham City of Literature and The University of Nottingham held a collaborative showcase in Nottingham Central Library with poetry, stalls and workshops from academics and creatives displaying a variety of projects. These included a feminist zine writing workshop, a chance to delve into Nottingham’s multilingualism with Professor Nicola McLelland, collaborative PhD student Katy Birch and PhD student Qizhu Zhao. 

Our highly anticipated 2025 Nottingham City of Literature lecture was delivered by the Baroness Lola Young, in May. (Image credit: Tom Platinum Morley.) 

We collaborated with Professor Jon McGregor at the University of Nottingham’s literary journal, The Letters Page on a special Cities of Literature edition featuring letters written from Cities of Literature around the world and translated by University translators. 

Our Nature Poet Laureate, Cara Thompson champions nature’s voice through creative commissions and community engagement. 

On 1 December we hosted an Anniversary Gala in collaboration with Nottingham Trent University, at the Metronome. The evening offered a look at our past, present and future as we celebrated ten years as a City of Literature.