Lucknow enters UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) as ‘Creative City of Gastronomy’
Announced:
November 2025, during the 43rd Session of the UNESCO General Conference in Uzbekistan.
About the Recognition
Feature | Details |
Recognising Body | UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) |
Network | UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) |
Category | Creative City of Gastronomy |
Significance | First recognition of its kind for Lucknow, celebrating its Awadhi cuisine, culinary heritage, and cultural inclusivity. |
What is the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)?
Component | Explanation |
Established in | 2004 |
Purpose | To promote cooperation among cities that identify creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development. |
Creative Fields |
|
India’s other Creative Cities (before 2025) |
|
Now Added (2025) | Lucknow – Gastronomy |
Why Lucknow? – The Awadhi Culinary Heritage
Componnent | Details |
Cuisine Type | Awadhi cuisine, evolved during the Nawabi era. |
Historical Roots | Developed under Nawabs of Awadh, esp. Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula (18th century). |
Famous Dishes | Tunday Kabab, Galouti Kabab, Biryani, Sheermal, Nihari, Korma, Kulcha, Roomali Roti, and Tokri Chaat. |
Unique Features | Slow-cooking (dum pukht), refined use of spices, Persian influence, balance of taste & aroma. |
Cultural Fusion | Combines Persian, Mughlai, and regional Indian culinary styles, symbolizing Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb (syncretic culture). |
Prelims Practice MCQ
Q. Consider the following pairs of Indian cities and their designation under the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN):
City | Creative Field |
1. Varanasi | Music |
2. Hyderabad | Gastronomy |
3. Jaipur | Design |
4. Lucknow | Gastronomy |
Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?
A. 1, 2 and 4 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
✅ Answer: A. 1, 2 and 4 only
Explanation: Jaipur is recognised for Crafts and Folk Art, not Design.
Q. Which of the following statements about the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) is/are correct?
It was established to promote cultural industries as engines of sustainable urban development.
Lucknow was included in 2025 as a “Creative City of Literature.”
Hyderabad and Lucknow are both recognised in the category of Gastronomy.
Select the correct answer:
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: B. 1 and 3 only
Explanation:
UCCN promotes creativity-led development. Lucknow was recognised as a Creative City of Gastronomy, not Literature. Hyderabad (2019) and Lucknow (2025) are both listed under Gastronomy.