In the spring of 2023, Leeuwarden UNESCO City of Literature in the Netherlands is offering a writer-in-residence programme. Writers and storytellers can spend a month researching or working on a literary project, and will be introduced to Dutch and Frisian colleagues.

Proposals for the residency can be submitted before 20 February to Leeuwarden UNESCO City of Literature.

The guest writer will be expected to give at least one literary performance or offer a (short) text for publication. During the residency, you will have a buddy, a fellow writer/poet from Leeuwarden. They will be your first point of contact and will help you find your way around the city and the Frisian literary and cultural sector.

Who and when

Poets, writers, biographers and literary translators living and working in one of the UNESCO Cities of Literature may apply (that includes Manchester!).

You should have at least one literary publication to your name with a mainstream publisher or have had at least one of your texts performed publicly. Candidates will be expected to send in their CV and their motivation as to why they want to work in Leeuwarden and on which literary project they plan to work. A letter of recommendation is optional.

The period of residency being offered is from 20 March to 15 April 2023.

The guest writer will receive an allowance of €2,000 and reimbursement of €35 a day for expenses. The rental costs of the apartment in Leeuwarden will be covered by Leeuwarden UNESCO City of Literature. Travel costs are at the guest writer’s expense.

Proposals from writers and translators should be submitted before 20th February. The selection will be made by the Leeuwarden UNESCO City of Literature team in collaboration with the team of Explore the North festival. The final decision will be taken by 27th February.

The proposal should be to Leeuwarden City UNESCO of Literature: info@leeuwardencityofliterature.nl. You can contact project leader Tryntsje van der Steege for more information: tryntsje@leeuwardencityofliterature.nl.

Accommodation

You will reside in a centrally located, fully furnished, luxury apartment. The apartment has air conditioning, wifi, private bathroom and kitchen. A washing machine is at your disposal and the apartment is cleaned weekly.

Background information

Friesland is one of the twelve provinces in the Netherlands and number 3 on Lonely Planet’s list of hidden gems in Europe. The province in Northern Netherlands follows the coastline of the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Friesland is known for its open, water-rich landscape and for having its own language, Frisian, the second official language in the Netherlands. The capital of the province, Leeuwarden, is one of the oldest cities in the north of the Netherlands and is home to many students, both national and international, thanks to the universities of applied sciences in the city. It is a friendly, compact city with numerous canals, monuments and cultural institutions. Leeuwarden has many podia, bookshops and museums as well as a modern library in the characteristic, old prison buildings. The city was designated the title of European Capital of Culture in 2018 and put on a programme that included a focus on multilingualism. Leeuwarden was appointed UNESCO City of Literature towards the end of 2019 and, as an organisation, is particularly committed to promoting reading, professionalisation and internationalisation.