Organizer Information
Prague City of Literature was founded in 2009, bringing together representatives of Prague's literary community to pursue membership in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. The project has 30 founding members from various literary institutions, magazines, schools, literary awards, festivals, and publishers. The Municipal Library of Prague (MLP) was named the coordinator of the project and serves as the receiving institution for the residency program. MLP is the largest public library in the Czech Republic, with 41 branches and 3 bibliobuses.
Prague was declared a UNESCO City of Literature by UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova on December 1, 2014, joining an elite group of cities in which literature occupies a special place in city life. An architectural pearl with a well-preserved historical centre registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List, Prague has one of the highest concentrations of bookshops in Europe, with approximately 200 bookshops and 20 literary cafes, and hosts major international festivals including the Prague Writers' Festival. Since October 2015, Prague City of Literature has offered residency stays for foreign writers and translators as one of the central commitments of its membership in the UNESCO Creative Cities of Literature Network.
Title & Description
2027 Prague Creative Residency for Foreign Writers and Translators
Prague City of Literature offers eight two-month creative residencies in 2027 for foreign writers and translators, administered through the Municipal Library of Prague. Residents live and work in central Prague and are expected to continue their own writing projects during the stay while participating in the city's literary life through author readings, student meetings, talks, and activities arranged by the Municipal Library or connected to the city's cultural calendar.
Residents must provide the Municipal Library of Prague with a short text inspired by their stay, which will be used to promote the Prague residency program.
Categories
- Residency
- Writing
- Creative Writing
- Literature
- Fiction
- Nonfiction
- Poetry
- Playwright
Eligibility
- Open to foreign writers and translators (not Czech residents)
- Basic knowledge of English required
- Must have at least one of the following: one published literary work (not self-published); two broadcast or published radio dramas; one carried out or published theater play; or at least one translated work of a Czech author
- Must be willing to participate in local literary life (author readings, student meetings, talks, activities arranged by the receiving institution or connected to city cultural events)
- Must be working on a writing project during the stay
- Must demonstrate cultural interest in the location
- Applicants who have previously received this scholarship are not eligible to apply again
Program Benefits & Awards
- Accommodation in central Prague is covered by the Prague City of Literature
- Travel expenses covered by the Prague City of Literature
- Monthly scholarship of CZK 15,000 (approximately €600) per month
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application deadline: 7 August 2026
- Results announced: before 31 October 2026
- Residency periods (2027): January–February · March–April · May–June · July–August · September–October · November–December
Location
Municipal Library of Prague, central Prague, Czech Republic
Additional Details
- The source states eight residencies are available in 2027, but lists only six two-month periods covering the full calendar year. It is unclear whether some periods carry two concurrent slots; applicants should consult the General Terms and FAQ at prahamestoliteratury.cz/rezidencni-pobyty for clarification.
- Residents are required to provide the Municipal Library of Prague with a text inspired by the stay either during the residency or within two months of its termination. The Municipal Library will enter into a formal license agreement with the resident covering use of this text in both electronic and print form.