Organizer Information

The Kraków Festival Office (KBF) and Kraków UNESCO City of Literature are cultural institutions based in Kraków, Poland, dedicated to fostering literary creation, exchange, and international connectivity. The City of Literature program is part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, recognized globally for celebrating and supporting literature and its creators through residencies, events, and collaboration initiatives that connect writers, translators, and literary professionals worldwide. The organisation runs a rich calendar of literary activities, including festivals, programmes that strengthen cross-cultural literary ties, and artist residencies that provide space and support for creative practice.

Title & Description

Janina Katz Residency Programme 2026 — An open call for a two-month residency in Kraków, Poland, named in honour of Janina Katz (1939–2013), a celebrated Kraków-born writer, poet, and translator who lived in exile in Denmark. This residency invites female writers or translators from Ukraine or Belarus to spend April–May 2026 in Kraków, receiving a monthly stipend, travel support, and the opportunity to engage deeply with the city’s vibrant literary life and cultural community. The programme aims to honour Janina Katz’s legacy by offering refuge and creative support to women creators facing displacement, facilitating professional development and cultural exchange within Poland’s UNESCO City of Literature.

Categories

  • Literature
  • Writing
  • Residency
  • Translation

Eligibility

  • Open to female writers or literature translators from Ukraine or Belarus.
  • Applicants must be proficient in Polish or English.
  • Must have at least one published work—this can be fiction or non-fiction, a screenplay (film or theatre), or a published translation.

Program Benefits & Awards

Participants in this residency receive:
  • A two-month residency (April–May 2026) in a furnished apartment in central Kraków.
  • A monthly stipend of 2,500 PLN gross.
  • Travel expenses reimbursed for travel to and from Kraków.
  • Support and opportunity to participate in Kraków’s literary life and literary networks.
  • Logistical and substantive support to explore the local publishing and cultural scene and build professional contacts.

Application Fee

None

Application Requirements

To apply, candidates must submit:
  • A completed application form (linked via the organiser’s site).
  • A biography or CV. Submissions are made by email to residencies@miastoliteratury.pl by the deadline.

How to Apply?

Interested applicants should complete the online form provided on the organiser’s website and send required documents to residencies@miastoliteratury.pl.

Key Dates

  • Application Deadline: 9 February 2026
  • Residency Period: April – May 2026

Location

Kraków, Poland

Additional Details

  • The programme honours the legacy of Janina Katz, a Kraków-born author and translator who made significant contributions to literature and translation in Denmark following her forced emigration.
  • Past residents have included Belarusian and Ukrainian translators and writers, reflecting the programme’s history of supporting displaced women literary creators.
  • The residency is part of a broader suite of literary residencies and initiatives run through the UNESCO City of Literature programme, including participation in the city’s vibrant cultural events.

Website Link: https://krakowcityofliterature.com/open-call-for-the-janina-katz-residency-programme/