City of Lit

UNESCO has named Melbourne its second City of Literature (Edinburgh was the first). A timely recognition for Australia's cultural capital with the Melbourne Writers Festival kicking off tomorrow at Federation Square. I'll be attending a keynote speech by Augusten Burroughs and assorted workshops. Absorb these factoids if you question Melbourne's literary dominance:

• Melbourne boasts more bookshops per head of population than anywhere else in Australia.
  
• About a third of Australia's book-retailing businesses are in Victoria.
  
• Melbourne has the highest concentration of community book clubs in the country.
  
• Victoria publishes a higher number of books, per head of population, than any other state.
  

Howzat, Sydney??!!