The University of Iowa and Iowa City welcomed Ali Bowden, the director of Edinburgh’s City of Literature and a driving force behind UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network, with a public event on Tuesday, April 7 at 5 p.m. at the Englert Theater. The entire community was invited to attend this talk and reception, with the purpose of understanding the possibilities for Iowa City as a UNESCO City of Literature. Ms. Bowden also be discussed the Network of Cities of Literature, which now includes Edinburgh, Iowa City and Melbourne and will soon be expanding to other cities.

The event featured a reading by poet laureate Marvin Bell, remarks by former Iowa City Mayor Ross Wilburn and comments from the University of Iowa President Sally Mason. For more information visit http://www.unescoiowacity.com.