Kahramanmaraş City of Literature International Writers Residency 2026

The Kahramanmaraş UNESCO City of Literature Office is pleased to announce its International Writers' Residency Program. 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. The program welcomes applications from professional writers who are actively engaged in creative writing, poetry, literary translation, or related literary practices. 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.

What the Residency provides

• 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

Opportunities for Residents

• participate in literary events, such as readings and workshops

• meet local writers, poets, and other creative professionals

• explore the city's literary, historical, cultural, and natural heritage through guided visits and excursions

• give interviews to local and national media

• publish their work in literary magazines based in Kahramanmaraş, subject to editorial review

Residency Program Details

• Application Deadline: 15 August 2026

• Announcement of Selected Residents: 22 August 2026

• Residency Dates: 15 October – 15 November 2026

• Residency Duration: Four weeks

• Number of Residents: Three

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

  *Applications will be evaluated on the basis of artistic merit, professional experience, motivation, and the potential contribution of the applicant to the cultural life of the residency.

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.

Optional:

• Letter of recommendation

• Curriculum vitae or short biography

• Motivation letter

Should you have any questions regarding the residency program or the application process, please do not hesitate to contact us at the same email address.

We warmly encourage writers from diverse cultural, linguistic, and literary backgrounds to apply and look forward to welcoming new voices to Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye's first and only UNESCO City of Literature.

Please submit the following documents in English or Turkish to: creative_city_kahramanmaras@kmbb.bel.tr before the deadline of Saturday 15th August

Required documents:

• Completed application form

• Proof of at least two published books or equivalent literary publications

• Writing sample (2 pages, in Turkish or English)