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Iowa City representative Henry Morray wins 2025 SlamoVision

Posted on November 6, 2025 by unesco-ic

After the votes were tallied, Henry Morray, Iowa City’s representative to the 2025 SlamoVision international slam poetry competition was declared the winner. The results were shared as part of the […]

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UNESCO names 10 new Cities of Literature as Creative Cities Network grows

Posted on October 31, 2025 by unesco-ic
UNESCO logo

The 53 designated Creative Cities of Literature from 39 countries across the globe welcome 10 additional Cities of Literature to their literary family. UNESCO announced the designation of 58 new […]

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Winners named in City of Literature student essay contest

Posted on September 2, 2025 by unesco-ic

Iowa City student wins top prize of one year of free tuition at the University of Iowa; runners up from Ankeny, Bettendorf, and Riverside win scholarships Contest will be open […]

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Cole Swensen named 2025 Paul Engle Prize winner

Posted on September 2, 2025 by unesco-ic
Cole Swensen. Photo credit Anthony Hayward

Cole Swensen has been named the 14th recipient of the Paul Engle Prize, presented by the Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature organization. The prize, established in 2011, honors an […]

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Slamovision qualifying slam set for Sept. 9

Posted on August 22, 2025 by unesco-ic

Slam poets from around Iowa are invited to participate in a special slam on Sept. 9 that will pick our entrant for an international slam competition. SlamoVision is a project […]

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Statement on U.S. withdrawal from UNESCO

Posted on July 22, 2025 by unesco-ic

We are profoundly disappointed by the U.S. State Department’s announcement that the United States will once again withdraw from UNESCO. When this happened in 2017, we reaffirmed our commitment to […]

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2025 Iowa City Book Festival set for Oct. 5-12

Posted on June 3, 2025 by unesco-ic

The 17th annual Iowa City Book Festival will be held Oct. 5-12, 2025, at locations throughout downtown and beyond. It will showcase a dynamic mix of original events and collaborative […]

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Protecting our Literary Resources and Institutions Requires Action

Posted on May 7, 2025 by unesco-ic

May 7 is Johnson County Great Give Day! Join us to raise awareness and funds for our local nonprofit organizations! #JoCoGreatGiveDay You can support the City of Literature by donating […]

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Cedar Falls student named new Iowa Student Poet Ambassador

Posted on April 15, 2025 by unesco-ic

Literary representatives from across the state have selected award-winning young writer and poet Daniel Somotochukwu Umemezie as the 2025-26 Iowa Student Poet Ambassador (ISPA). Chosen from a highly talented pool […]

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MusicIC Festival presents PENELOPE on April 26

Posted on March 10, 2025 by unesco-ic

Tickets are now available! ONE PERFORMANCE ONLY: Music and literature festival will feature Grammy-nominated artist Shara Nova in the contemporary multimedia song cycle, Penelope, written by Sarah Kirkland Snider and […]

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Recent Posts

  • Iowa City representative Henry Morray wins 2025 SlamoVision
  • UNESCO names 10 new Cities of Literature as Creative Cities Network grows
  • Winners named in City of Literature student essay contest
  • Cole Swensen named 2025 Paul Engle Prize winner
  • Slamovision qualifying slam set for Sept. 9

Our Mission

To build and support diverse communities of writers and audiences through the transformative power of story.

Our Vision

We lead by inclusion and collaboration, celebrating the emotions, discovery and connections inspired by the written word in all its forms.

Our Values

• Collaboration: we engage in complementary and cooperative work.
• Community: we foster inclusive engagement to create connection locally and globally.
• Creativity: we seek, engage, and support innovation.

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