Kahramanmaraş, a southern Turkish city renowned for its rich cultural tapestry, has officially achieved a groundbreaking milestone by becoming Türkiye’s first and only UNESCO Creative City of Literature. The historic milestone was celebrated at a high-profile international promotional event held at Istanbul’s prestigious Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM) on June 19, 2026, drawing prominent figures from the worlds of culture, art, academia and the media.
The event illuminated Kahramanmaraş’s profound literary journey, showcasing its strategic vision for cultural development, potential for literary tourism and burgeoning international collaborations. For a city whose identity is deeply intertwined with the written and spoken word, the UNESCO designation is not merely a title but a global validation of a five-century-old living heritage.
Essence of Maraş
While many ancient cities are remembered for their monumental stone architecture, Kahramanmaraş stands out as a unique urban ecosystem where collective memory is preserved through poetry and storytelling. As the city’s literary chroniclers often note, concrete structures may crumble, but words etched into human hearts endure across generations.
