Lucknow: Kebabs, biryani and much more in Indian city on Unesco culinary list

Why in news

UNESCO recognized Lucknow as a Creative City of Gastronomy to honor its deep-rooted culinary traditions and food ecosystem.

Background

Lucknow is the second Indian city to receive this designation after Hyderabad in 2019. The city is part of a global network of 408 cities promoting creativity for sustainable urban development.

Facts for Prelims

• BodyUNESCO Creative Cities Network: A global network of cities promoting creativity as a driver of sustainable urban development.
• PlaceLucknow: Recognized as a Creative City of Gastronomy by UNESCO.
• FactHyderabad: The first Indian city to be recognized as a Creative City of Gastronomy in 2019.
• S&TDum pukht: A traditional slow-cooking technique involving cooking food in sealed pots.

For Mains

Q. Discuss how the preservation of intangible cultural heritage, such as culinary traditions, contributes to the sustainable urban development and soft power of a city.

Dimensions to cover in your answer

• Cultural branding: Leveraging traditional gastronomy to boost urban tourism and local identity
• Heritage preservation: Balancing modern urban expansion with the maintenance of traditional culinary ecosystems

Keywords: Intangible Cultural Heritage · Sustainable Urban Development · Soft Power · Culinary Diplomacy · Cultural Preservation

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