Applications for this residency have now closed. Please see our current opportunities here.

Vilnius UNESCO City of Literature offers a four-week creative residency in the heart of Užupis, its iconic arts district, for a Norwich-based writer, illustrator or literary translator working from Lithuanian in autumn 2023.

The program partners for this residency are Vilnius City Municipality and Užupis Arts Incubator.

About the residency

The Vilnius Literary Residency is a program dedicated to writers, illustrators and literary translators from all over the world, with a focus on the Norwich and Krakow Cities of Literature and Ukraine in the year 2023. The purpose of the residency program is to provide opportunity for writers, illustrators, and translators to stay in Vilnius for a four-week period from 15 September – 13 October and engage in creative work.

Travel and accommodation

All selected participants will have their travel expenses covered, be provided accommodation in Vilnius’ iconic Užupis arts district, and granted a scholarship of 500 EUR. Participants will be asked to participate in two meetings with the local community.

The residency is located in the heart of Vilnius, adjacent to the old town in the iconic Užupis arts district, at the UMI (Užupis Arts Incubator) on the shore of the historical Vilnia River, and just 500 meters away from Vilnius Literary House – the office of the Vilnius UNESCO City of Literature. Organisers will fully cover accommodation costs for the selected participants and travel to/from the residency location.

How to apply

Eligible applicants are writers, illustrators, and literary translators from Lithuanian language from Norwich or those with a strong connection to Norwich.

The applicant must send a short motivational letter, along with a short bio and bibliography, to [email protected]

The deadline for applications is Tuesday 20 June 2023.

Three residents will be selected for the Vilnius Literary Residency program: one writer from Norwich, one from Krakow, and one from Ukraine. All applicants will be informed about the selection results by email no later than 10 July.