Dunedin, Granada, Heidelberg and Prague were this week all awarded the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation designation. They join existing Cities of Literature Edinburgh, Melbourne, Iowa City, Dublin, Reykjavik, Norwich and Krakow to become one of the 69 cities in the ''Creative Cities Network''.
The network promotes literature, film, music, crafts and folk art, design, media arts and gastronomy, by ''working together towards a common mission for cultural diversity and sustainable urban development'' and member cities are recognised as ''creative hubs'' and ''socio-cultural clusters''.
It is no mean feat.
To be awarded the City of Literature status, cities must meet a range of criteria which show they are focused on promoting domestic and international literature and providing quality, quantity and diversity in initiatives across publishing houses, schools, universities, the urban environment, literary events and festivals, libraries, bookstores, cultural centres and media.
Dunedin's application highlighted our rich literary heritage, as well as the events, institutions and organisations, and large community of writers, playwrights and lyricists here.
The Unesco designation does not come about just as a matter of worth, however.
It is important to acknowledge all those who have worked behind the scenes - in some cases for several years - on the city's bid so we might all bask in the glory.
They include the DCC, university and a steering committee and advisory board of writers, librarians and academics, as well as those who organised and contributed to the inaugural Dunedin Writers and Readers Festival in May, the success of which must have helped the decision.
The Unesco stamp is immensely personally validating for all those involved in the literary scene, as it promotes their work and shows the importance of it in contributing to the cultural life of a city. Writers - like many in the arts - often work on the sidelines and can struggle to make a living.
It can be easy to feel overlooked, underfunded, unappreciated and misunderstood.
Publishers and booksellers also work in an increasingly challenging environment.
The status is undoubtedly an exciting one for the city, which is set to reap cultural and economic benefits from it.
Anyone who has lived in Dunedin should be aware of the city's rich literary heritage.
It includes our links with Scottish poet Robert Burns, to the early names of publisher A. H. Reed and poet Thomas Bracken to literary heavyweights such as Janet Frame, Charles Brasch and James K Baxter.
Then there are the dozens of playwrights, poets, short story writers, novelists, non-fiction writers, illustrators and children's authors living and writing in the city today.
The long but by no means complete list includes the likes of Lynley Hood, Sue Wooton, Vincent O'Sullivan, Breton Dukes, Kay McKenzie Cooke, David Eggleton, David Howard, Paddy Richardson, Vanda Symon, Ella West, Liam McIlvanney, Robyn Belton, Diana Noonan, David Elliot, Melinda Szymanik, Sandy McKay, Cilla McQueen, Vincent O'Sullivan, Emma Neale, Jackie Ballantyne, Laurence Fearnley, Philip Temple, Christine Johnston, Neville Peat and Rachel Stedman.
Many of these authors are already known, read and respected nationally and internationally.
Booker Prize-winning New Zealand authors Keri Hulme and most recently Eleanor Catton have also helped put New Zealand's name in the international literary spotlight.
The time is ripe to reap the benefits of the Unesco listing.
It is a significant avenue by which Dunedin can market the city to the world.
Our cultural aspects have the potential to attract domestic and international tourism, tertiary students and new residents and business, social and cultural development as a direct result of the Unesco relationship and partnerships with other cities.
It is up to civic leaders to make the most of our new status, translate the potential into real benefits and write the next chapter in this city's long and proud literary history.
