International Writer’s Residence In Reykjavík

Posted: Monday Mar 11, 2019

In 2019 the Reykjavík UNESCO City of Literature for the first time offers a free residency for a writer from another UNESCO City of Literature.

WHAT?
Reykjavík, a UNESCO City of Literature since 2011, offers a one month residency for a visiting writer from another UNESCO City of Literature. The offer is open to published fiction writers from, or affiliated with, any of the other 27 Cities of Literature, writing in any genre.

WHEN?
This first residency will be a one month stay for one writer from October 1 – 31, 2019.

WHO?
Writers from or with strong ties to any of the 27 other UNESCO Cities of Literature can apply. The applicant must have published at least one work of fiction (poetry, prose, play or screenwriting). Writers of all ages, gender, nationalities and languages can apply as long as the affiliation with a UNESCO City of Literature is strong.

WHAT IS INCLUDED?
Travel cost, free lodging in Gröndalshús (Gröndal‘s House) residence flat and a sum of 800 Euros. The flat in Gröndalshús is a fully furnished one bedroom flat with a full kitchen located in the Reykjavík city centre close to cultural venues and the main city attractions. The living/dining area can also be used as a work space. The flat has free wifi. The guest will be responsible for meals and other day to day needs. Medical coverage is not included and therefore the guest should have medical insurance/coverage of their own. The Reykjavík City of Literature staff will be of help in connecting the guest with the local literary community and other relevant parties related to literary work. Presentation of literary works will also be possible for the guest, be it by an open event, media presentation or other channels and if the guest should be able and willing to take part in the literary life of the city. The offer is meant for the writer only.

REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must use this month in Reykjavik for literary work and have an interest in getting to know Reykjavík and Iceland and its culture and literature. Whereas the hosts do not make any restrictions on the nature or content of the work being written during the stay, they do ask that the author writes a short text (1-2 A4 pages; prose, reflection, poem etc.) about Reykjavík and/or the stay or the author‘s home city‘s ties to Reykjavik or Icelandic literature. The piece may be translated to Icelandic and used by the Reykjavík UNESCO City of Literature, on the programme‘s website, social media channels and/or in a publication dedicated to the residency in the future without further compensation. Proficiency in English is required.

ABOUT REYKJAVÍK AND GRÖNDAL‘S HOUSE
Reykjavík is the capital of Iceland and its cultural centre. Inhabitants in the capital area are around 230.000. Icelandic is the language of the island but most people are also fluent in English. Reykjavík has been a UNESCO City of Literature since 2011 and has a vibrant literary community. The Reykjavík UNESCO City of Literature office is run by the City of Reykjavík within its Department of Culture and Tourism. Gröndal‘s House is the former home of writer, illustrator and scholar Benedikt Gröndal (1826-1907). This small charming house in the heart of the old town was renovated by the City and opened as a culture house and residency in 2017. It houses the flat on the ground floor, an exhibition and event space on the main floor and an office space for local artists on the top floor. The house is run by the Reykjavík UNESCO City of Literature office.
See further here: https://bokmenntaborgin.is/en/city-of-literature/grondalshouse

APPLICATION AND DEADLINE
Please send your application to bokmenntaborgin@reykjavik.is before April 23rd 2019.
It should contain:

• Name
• Address and contact email
• Nationality
• Date of birth
• Connection to a UNESCO City of Literature
• CV of published works and relevant career
• Brief description of project that you plan to work on in Reykjavík
• You may send a sample of written work if available in Icelandic, English, Danish,Swedish or Norwegian although not required.

If you need further information,please write to us at the same address: bokmenntaborgin@reykjavik.is