Kahramanmaraş City of Literature International Writers’ Residency Program 2026

Application Deadline: 15 August 2026

Kahramanmaraş have opened applications for their very first residency since becoming a UNESCO City of Literature in 2025.

About the Residency

Located in a city widely celebrated as the Capital of Poetry and Literature of Türkiye, the residency offers writers, poets, and literary translators the opportunity to dedicate time to their creative work while engaging with the rich literary, cultural, and historical heritage of Kahramanmaraş. Three residents will be selected. Priority consideration will be given to one applicant residing in a UNESCO City of Literature or demonstrating a strong connection to one or more UNESCO Cities of Literature.

the successful candidates will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the literary scene, give interviews to local and national media and publish their work in literary magazines based in Kahramanmaraş.

Residency Dates: 15 October – 15 November 2026

What's Included

A stipend of €1,000 per resident
Free accommodation in a furnished private apartment in the city center
Access to dedicated workspaces at the Kahramanmaraş City of Literature offices, one located in the historic Mansion Köker Konağı and the other in the Yunus Emre Congress and Culture Center
Round-trip economy-class travel to and from Kahramanmaraş
Local transportation during arrival and departure

Resident Commitments

Selected residents are expected to:

Participate in at least three literary or cultural activities during their stay and engage with local audiences and the literary community
Produce a short creative work inspired by their residency experience in Kahramanmaraş. This may take the form of a poem, essay, short story, memoir, letter, illustrated work, or another creative format chosen by the resident.
The completed work should be submitted at the end of the residency or no later than two months after its completion. Residents will retain copyright of the work. However, by participating in the program, residents grant the Kahramanmaraş UNESCO City of Literature Office a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to publish, reproduce, translate, and use the submitted work, as well as residency-related photographs, interviews, biographies, and other related materials for non-commercial cultural and promotional purposes, with full acknowledgement of authorship.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

at least five years of creative writing, literary translation, or related literary experience
at least two published books or equivalent literary publications
upper-intermediate proficiency (B2 level or higher) in English or Turkish
interest in Turkish culture, literature, and intercultural exchange
willingness to actively participate in the residency program and public events