UNESCO City of Literature Wonju Residency 2026

The UNESCO City of Literature Wonju Residency 2026 is an international literary program hosted by the UNESCO City of Literature initiative in Wonju, Republic of Korea. This residency offers one selected writer from a City of Literature network the opportunity to live and work at the Toji Cultural Centre for eight weeks. The program is designed to:

• Strengthen cultural exchange
• Promote literary collaboration
• Deepen international understanding between writers from different parts of the world

🌟 Benefits of the Residency

Participants in the UNESCO City of Literature Wonju Residency will enjoy the following benefits:

• Round-trip air ticket provided
• Transportation on arrival and departure dates
• 8-week stay at the Toji Cultural Centre, including organic meals
• Writing room: One room at the Toji Cultural Centre provided
• Opportunity to engage in the cultural scene of Wonju and participate in various events, including the Wonju Literature Month Festival

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the residency, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Language Proficiency: Upper-intermediate level of proficiency in English or Korean
• Creative Writing Experience: Minimum of 5 years of creative writing experience, with at least one work published in English or Korean translation
• Participation: Willingness to participate in local literary events, meetings, interviews, and festivals
• Consent: Agreement to participate in an interview, photo shoot, and allow profile and photo uploads to Wonju City of Literature promotional media (website, social media, etc.)
• Interest in Korean Culture: Demonstrated interest in Korean culture and literature
• Event Attendance: Commitment to attend at least one local literary festival or exchange event in Korea during the residency
• Creative Work Submission: Required to produce a short creative work (e.g., essay or poem) on the theme of Wonju or Korea and submit it to Wonju City during the 6th week of the residency. The completed work will remain the copyright of Wonju City and may be used for promotional purposes
• Literary Work Creation: Produce literary work during the residency

📅 Application Date and Process

Required Documents:

1. A completed application form
2. Supporting documentation demonstrating:
   • A minimum of 5 years of creative writing experience
   • Proof of at least one published work in English or Korean

⏳ Application Deadline

The application deadline for the UNESCO City of Literature Wonju Residency is 31 May, 2026.

📖 About the Sponsor

The residency is sponsored by UNESCO, under the City of Literature initiative.

For more details about the residency, please refer to the official call for applications document or contact the organizers directly.

• Round-trip Air Ticket Provided
• Transportation on arrival and departure dates provided
• 8 weeks stay at the Toji Cultural Centre with organic meals
• Writing Room: One Room at Toji Cultural Centre provided
• An opportunity to get engaged in the cultural scene of Wonju and to participate in various events, including the ‘Wonju literature month festival’.