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Writing residency at Literarisches Colloquium Berlin 2023 - Bicherfrënn Grant (Call Closed)

Kultur | lx – Arts Council Luxembourg in partnership with the Lëtzebuerger Bicherfrënn – Les Amis du Livre a.s.b.l. and in collaboration with the National Literature Archives (CNL), is offering writers a 2 months residency at the Literarisches Colloquium in Berlin based on a call for applications, together with a grant. The writer shall benefit from a housing workshop at the LCB as well as financial support.

The Literarisches Colloquium Berlin (LCB), founded in 1963 by Walter Höllerer on the shores of Lake Wannsee, hosts writers, translators and publishers from all over the world. As a reflection forum, an experimentation workshop and a talent incubator, this internationally renowned literary institution does not merely organise readings, seminars and literary meetings. The LCB also encourages exchange and interaction with foreign institutions, thus guaranteeing continuous and rich literary mediation beyond linguistic borders.

This residency gives writers the time and freedom to pursue their creative work in progress with peace of mind. However, they may be asked to attend a few professional or public meetings and their agreement will be required. The writers-in-residence are supported in their desire to discover writers, publishers, venues, audiences and events locally.

This residency is awarded under the terms and conditions set below.

Eligibility

Kultur | lx grants the writing residency based on a call for applications to all writers, without age limit, who can demonstrate a significant professional background, and who are Luxembourg nationals or residents of Luxembourg.

The residency is a great opportunity for writers to work on their personal creation. A residency is in fact an opportunity for writers to create, experiment, immerse themselves in various social realities but also to find support to disseminate their work.

All applications must be submitted via the online application form only. Any other document sent by post shall not be accepted.

Final registration date: October 17, 2022 at midnight.

Residency terms

The writer shall be staying for 2 months in one of the eleven fully equipped housing workshops at the Literarisches Colloquium Berlin. The duration is to be agreed upon between the selected writer and the LCB.

Material and financial terms

The grant is set as follows:

  • Grant: a residency allowance of EUR 5,600
  • Flat fee for transport and daily expenses: a flat rate of EUR 1200
Organisation and selection panel

The application is free of charge.

The selection of the grant holder shall be made following:

  • a pre-selection phase based on the examination of all applications by a committee made up of leading figures from the Luxembourg cultural scene, and
  • a final decision made by the Literarisches Colloquium Berlin management team. They shall make the final choice of the writer who will be getting the residency.

The selection panel shall award the residency based on the relevance and integrity of the artistic approach.

The jury for the selection is made-up with :

  • Christiane Krier, (Lëtzebuerger Bicherfrënn)
  • Frank Hansen, (Lëtzebuerger Bicherfrënn)
  • Ludivine Jehin, (Centre national de littérature)
  • Sébastien Thilges, (Université du Luxembourg)
  • Nora Wagener, (author, laureate 2022)

The selection panel’s decision is final. The selection panel may decide not to award a residency if they consider that the submissions are not relevant to the award.

All applicants shall be notified by email.

Required documentation

Interested applicants should provide:

  • a cover letter
  • Photocopy of the applicant’s ID card
  • a healthcare registration certificate (social security affiliation statements) issued by the relevant social security body
  • a curriculum vitae and an updated bibliography of the applicant
  • a letter of intent describing the writing project and the workshop themes (3 to 5 DIN A4 pages)
  • an Art portfolio including visuals, texts, press reviews
  • Works, documents, texts already produced

Only complete forms submitted before the deadline shall be considered.

The writer’s obligations

The writer shall spend 2 months in Berlin writing and researching.

At the end of the allotted time, the writer shall produce a “Bourglënster Ried”. This work results in the publication of a booklet, in a limited edition (+/- 300 copies), containing the text(s) of the latter. The copyright for this publication remains with the writer. Co-published by the National Literature Archives, the publishing fee shall be covered by a flat rate of up to EUR 1,000.

In addition, the writer shall dedicate a time of exchange and meeting with the public in collaboration with Lëtzebuerger Bicherfrënn – Les Amis du Livre a.s.b.l., within the scheme of the “Bourglënster Ried”. The writer agrees to participate in at least one public meeting: a writing and reading workshop, a reading event or else.

At the end of the residency, the writer is required to submit a detailed report to Kultur | lx, which shall be shared with the Literarisches Colloquium Berlin, the National Literature Archives, and the Lëtzebuerger Bicherfrënn – Les Amis du Livre a.s.b.l. Failure to submit the report may lead to Kultur | lx demanding full or partial reimbursement of the grant.

The writer consents that information about him/her (bibliography, excerpts) may be published on the website and in the communication materials published by Kultur | lx.

Payment of the grant

The amount of the residency allowance is EUR 5,600 and shall be paid as well as a flat fee for daily expenses and transport into the writer’s personal account in two instalments.

The first instalment of 80% shall be paid upon arrival at Literarisches Colloqium Berlin, which must be notified in writing by the grant holder, the second instalment of 20% after submission of the report and the “Bourglënster Ried” upon termination of the residency.

Liability

Kultur | lx expressly reserves the right to cancel at any time and for any reason whatsoever the awarding of grants under these terms, without any applicant being entitled to claim any compensation in this respect.

Additional information

List of grant holders

Partners :
Literarisches Colloquium Berlin
Lëtzebuerger Bicherfrënn – Les Amis du Livre a.s.b.l.
Centre national de littérature – Luxembourg

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