The Swedish organization, Göteborgs Litteraturhus (Gothenburg House of Literature) in partnership with South African non-profit Hear My Voice invites South African poets to apply for an up to two week writing residency in Gothenburg, Sweden made possible by the AIR Literature Västra Götaland residency program run by the Administration for Cultural Development, Additional support is provided by the Swedish Institute. The opportunity provides writers with up to two–weeks residency in Gothenburg between 15–28 November to develop new work, collaborate, perform, facilitate workshops and engage in conversations relating to the impact of writing, poetry and cross-cultural exchanges. The value of the residency is SEK 25 000 (+-R42 625) towards flights, accommodation, stipends and other travel related costs, as well as a SEK 7 500 (+-R12 644) engagement fee for a public engagement arranged during the residency.
Interested applicants may apply here: Click here for the Registration form
Please note: Be sure to select the Göteborgs Litteraturhus as your first and only choice in the application form when choosing the desired place and date of stay.
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Application deadline: 10th of September 2021, the outcomes of the selection process will be announced by the end of September.
Residency Period: up to 2 weeks, November 2021 (15–28 November)
Selection criteria
-Convincing track record: professionally active with a national / transregional reach.
-Context-related motivation.
-Concrete exchange project idea with a lasting impact.
In due course, announcements will be made for a similar residency in South Africa for Swedish writers supported by the Swedish Arts Council.
If you have any questions please contact:
Ishmael Sibiya | [email protected]
Sofia Gräsberg | [email protected]
About AIR Literature Västra Götaland
AIR Literature Västra Götaland is a residency program run by the Administration for Cultural Development. It is aimed at writers and translators from all over the world. The goal is to provide space and time for artistic development by offering residences in several places in the Västra Götaland region. The residence takes place through residence scholarships and focuses on artistic research work and provides opportunities for inspiration and in-depth study. The stay must also be anchored in the conditions of the place and the wishes of the host place.
About Göteborgs Litteraturhus (Gothenburg House of Literature)
Göteborgs Litteraturhus is an organization as well as a public space. It is a self-organized framework with over 60 members consisting of literary organisations and groups; publishers, literary magazines, creative writing communities, festivals, Swedish writers’ union and Swedish Pen, groups of cultural activists and students. Göteborgs Litteraturhus presents a broad public programme of literary and social activities and engages in a wide range of different collaborations on a local, regional and international level. To Göteborgs Litteraturhus the definition of literature – how it can look, sound, work and what it can do – is emphasized as an open question.
About Hear My Voice
Hear My Voice is a non-profit organization based in the City of Tshwane, South Africa. Their focus is developing spoken word artists as well as creating open and uncensored platforms for self expression through spoken word poetry. They achieve this through organizing local and international exchange programs, workshops, live spoken word shows, open mics and other literature programs for schools, private companies, government, libraries, festivals and other cultural institutions.