Process
The Correntes d'Escritas Literary Festival, a showcase of the constancy of municipal investment in the promotion of reading and literature, has long been an act of affirmation of literature as a key element of the local and supramunicipal development strategies. This Festival has been widely validated by the literary sector and the media.
Accordingly, since 2016 the Correntes d'Escritas Literary Festival has taken on the role of forum for Póvoa de Varzim's candidacy to member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. The strategy of making the motivations known to the population, as well as gathering contributions for the construction of the proposal provided moments of debate and hearing both the public and economic agents of the sector.
Around 100 interviews were conducted, including representatives of the Government, international institutions, the cultural and literary sector, the media and diplomats. The many statements collected corroborated impressions, pointed out directions and strengthened the conviction that the focus on creativity should be pursued by the Municipality. The following contributions stand out: the pride of the people of Póvoa de Varzim, residents or migrants, in the seriousness and consistency of the work carried out; the perception of young and emerging production in the city; the growing reputation of the Correntes d'Escritas Literary Festival among people outside the region; the recognition of Póvoa de Varzim and the Festival as a privileged place, at international level, for the sector to meet; ensuring the relations of literature with other arts; and the clarity that the Literary Festival creates an impression that goes beyond the event and beyond the borders of Portugal.
A Consultative Council was also created, consisting of renowned personalities, representing different dimensions and areas: public/private, institutional/informal, NGO/economic agents, research and academia, local/regional/national. The design of a diagnosis and proposal of an action plan was debated and forwarded by this municipality, which is to be integrated as part of the management structure of the action plan of Póvoa de Varzim, City of Literature.
Accordingly, since 2016 the Correntes d'Escritas Literary Festival has taken on the role of forum for Póvoa de Varzim's candidacy to member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. The strategy of making the motivations known to the population, as well as gathering contributions for the construction of the proposal provided moments of debate and hearing both the public and economic agents of the sector.
Around 100 interviews were conducted, including representatives of the Government, international institutions, the cultural and literary sector, the media and diplomats. The many statements collected corroborated impressions, pointed out directions and strengthened the conviction that the focus on creativity should be pursued by the Municipality. The following contributions stand out: the pride of the people of Póvoa de Varzim, residents or migrants, in the seriousness and consistency of the work carried out; the perception of young and emerging production in the city; the growing reputation of the Correntes d'Escritas Literary Festival among people outside the region; the recognition of Póvoa de Varzim and the Festival as a privileged place, at international level, for the sector to meet; ensuring the relations of literature with other arts; and the clarity that the Literary Festival creates an impression that goes beyond the event and beyond the borders of Portugal.
A Consultative Council was also created, consisting of renowned personalities, representing different dimensions and areas: public/private, institutional/informal, NGO/economic agents, research and academia, local/regional/national. The design of a diagnosis and proposal of an action plan was debated and forwarded by this municipality, which is to be integrated as part of the management structure of the action plan of Póvoa de Varzim, City of Literature.