Open Call: Common Currency Writer in Residence
Delivered in partnership with Cúirt International Literature Festival, English PEN and Irish PEN/ PEN na hÉireann supported by the British Council.
Common Currency is a celebration of freedom of expression, creative campaigning, and the best literature the world has to offer to mark the centenary of the PEN movement organised by English PEN. It seeks to ignite a conversation around issues of freedom of expression, led by writers and readers.
Cúirt International Literature Festival, English PEN and Irish PEN/ PEN na hÉireann are working together in the spirit of the PEN charter that ‘literature knows no frontiers’ to provide an opportunity for a writer from the MENA region resident in Ireland to be the Common Currency Writer in Residence during the 2021 Cúirt International Literature Festival.
They welcome submissions from writers who are resident in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland who identify as a member of the diaspora from the Middle East and North Africa. For the purposes of this residency these countries include Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Palestinian Territories, Morocco, Tunisia, Yemen, Algeria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria and UAE.
They welcome applications from writers whose first language is not English including Refugees and asylum seekers, although please note that your submission will be assessed in English.
This residency is made possible through the support of the British Council.
The deadline for submitting applications is 12 noon (GMT) Monday 22 February 2021.
KEY INFORMATION
The opportunity
- A written creative commission to be performed as part of the festival Opening Night event (in person and online) on the theme of Human Connection.
- An opportunity to perform work at two writers showcase events as part of the festival: 1) Culture Ireland showcase 2) Emerging Writers showcase
- A festival pass for all events
- Fees covered to attend a series of up to four writer and development talks.
- A short personal essay commission reflecting on the experience of the festival and residency for publication post-festival on a partner website.
- Travel, accommodation, access and subsistence costs will be covered on top of the above, COVID 19 restrictions allowing. If local restrictions prevent the residency happening in-person, we will provide reasonable assistance to support the writer to participate in the festival.
Residency Dates
- 21 – 25 April 2021
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:
- Must be an early to mid-career writer based in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland who identifies as a member of the diaspora from the Middle East and North Africa. For the purposes of this residency these countries include Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Palestinian Territories, Morocco, Tunisia, Yemen, Algeria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria and UAE.
- Must submit the application in English. (By this we mean written English if you are submitting a written application or spoken English if submitting by video recording.)
- You may submit up to three poems or extracts from poems no longer than 50 lines or one prose piece no longer than 2000 words (excluding the title in both cases). Please indicate number of lines/words as appropriate and whether (and where) the piece has been previously published. Submissions may be in any language provided that they are accompanied by a translation into English (the author’s or the work of another writer). Collaborations with those writing in other languages very welcome.
Applications will be assessed against the three essential criteria outlined above and the question below. They will be reviewed by a selection panel, including representatives from Cúirt Festival, English PEN and Irish PEN/PEN na hÉireann .
- Why you want to participate in this residency and including why you will benefit from it.
If you have any questions, please email info@cuirt.ie .
They are committed to ensuring that the residency is fully accessible, and they encourage disabled and/or D/deaf writers to apply. Access provision and costs will be met in addition to fees.
SHORTLISTED APPLICANTS MAY NEED TO BE AVAILABLE FOR A FOLLOW-UP CONVERSATION BETWEEN 24 and 26 FEBRUARY AND 3 MARCH 2021.