Writer in the Park, Ljubljana UNESCO City of Literature International Residency

Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, was designated a UNESCO City of Literature in 2015. Ljubljana boasts a vibrant art scene and offers an array of diverse literary events. The highly regarded residency, established in 2018, provides peace and quiet for uninterrupted writing, while also offering opportunities to actively participate in the city’s literary life.

The residency is aimed at foreign published writers with a palpable, factual relation with any of the other UNESCO Cities of Literature that has to be apparent and described as part of the application. This means the applicant is or has been living in one of the other cities of literature for a longer period of time or is related to a city of literature through work. The application requires a mandatory letter of recommendation, signed by an organization from your chosen City of Literature. 

The applicant must have published at least one book of fiction (be it prose, poetry or drama) in their language. There are no restrictions regarding age, race, gender, nationality or other personal/aesthetic preferences. Though writers of all genres are currently welcome to apply, a specific focus might be chosen for calls in the following years.

The Writer in the Park program consists of two one-month residencies. The residency periods are April 1–30, 2026, and November 1–30, 2026. 

Each resident will get a sum amount of the grant and travel expenses of €1250 gross in total (details regarding potential wire-transfer charges and other expenses can be found in the contract that can be sent to the applicant upon request). Each resident will stay in their own, separate and fully equipped apartment with a kitchenette at Švicarija, possibly along other residents, artists, and exhibitions hosted at the premises.

Local public transportation costs will be covered, including airport transfer (Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport). Access to the Internet will be provided. Through targeted activities and networking possibilities, suited to each resident’s profile, the organisers will help them get to know the vibrant art and literary scene in Ljubljana. If requested, opportunities for public presentation of the residents’ work will be made possible, as well as meetings with translators, editors, other writers etc. if necessary and/or applicable. During the resident’s stay, some group activities, such as meetings with the organizer, publishers etc., may be scheduled. 

Deadline for submissions: 19th January 2026.