Why Kraków is UNESCO City of Literature?
CULTURAL CAPITAL OF POLAND AND EUROPEAN CITY OF CULTURE 2000
Kraków is the most readily recognisable Polish city – the country’s cultural capital and a city of literature and poetry. In 1978, following the decision by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, Kraków was included on its first list of the most important sites.
Welcome to Kraków, UNESCO City of Literature!
In 2013, Kraków was the seventh city in the world to be granted the prestigious title of City of Literature, awarded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The title recognises Kraków’s heritage and contemporary literary potential, as well as serving as inspiration for further growth.
In 2016, Kraków developed an innovative programme bringing together public institutions, municipal cultural institutions and non-governmental organisations involved with literature. The Kraków UNESCO City of Literature programme, operated by KBF, is a pioneering venture on a national scale.
We have plenty to work with: Kraków is the cradle of Polish language and literature, it has been home to Poland’s most important writers, and it has been the melting pot of the most important literary trends across the ages. The first scriptoriums were founded in Kraków in the 11th century, and it was here that the first printed materials in Poland were produced, first in Latin and later also in Polish.
News
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Call for Applications: Seamus Heaney – Czesław Miłosz Writer in Residence Programme
About the Residency The Seamus Heaney – Czesław Miłosz Residency aims to support emerging writers, resident in Ireland, to further develop their work. It is intended that the Residency will also provide the basis for deepening further the many literary links between Ireland and Poland. As the first writer-in-residence of the Heaney-Milosz Residency, Alice Lyons […] -
Open call for the International Residency Program for writers!
Kraków UNESCO City of Literature announces the 2024 call for applications for the International Residency Program for writers. The Program is dedicated to all emerging writers, and poets having at least one published book working currently on a writing project and are willing to learn more about the Polish literary community. The Residency Program is […] -
UNESCO CITIES OF LITERATURE CELEBRATE THE DAWN OF POETIC SPRING ON WORLD POETRY DAY
UNESCO Creative Cities of Literature use creativity and culture to promote the social, economic and cultural development of their cities. In these times of global uncertainty, the network continues to connect literary communities across the world, forging bonds through the power of books, words and ideas. 19 Cities of Literature, including Granada, are running […] -
Translatorium mentoring programme
We know the winners of the third edition of the Translatorium mentoring programme! Each of them will have a unique opportunity work for six months on a translation under the guidance of an experienced and renowned mentor in their respective fields. The third edition of the programme (January to June 2024) is targeted to emerging […] -
We are announcing the programme of the 15th Conrad Festival
From October 23 to 29, writers from five continents will meet in Kraków to discuss the phenomenon of migration. The list of guests who will share their stories features, among others, Kateryna Babkina, Natasha Brown, Philippe Claudel, Inga Iwasiów, Georgi Gospodinov, Mikołaj Grynberg, Intan Paramadi The theme of the 15th Conrad Festival will be migrations. The organisers […] -
OPEN CALL FOR THE INTERNATIONAL RESIDENCY PROGRAM FOR WRITERS AND TRANSLATORS!
Kraków UNESCO City of Literature announces the 2023 call for applications for the International Residency Program for writers and translators. The Residency Program is realized by the Kraków Festival Office, operator of the Kraków UNESCO City of Literature program in partnership with the Villa Decius Institute for Culture. The Program is dedicated to all emerging […] -
UNESCO Cities of Literature celebrate creativity and togetherness on World Poetry Day
UNESCO Creative Cities of Literature use creativity and culture to promote the social, economic and cultural development of their cities. In these times of global uncertainty, the network continues to connect literary communities across the world, forging bonds through the power of books, words and ideas. Granada City of Literature in Spain leads the […]