Call for Applications: Bucheon UNESCO City of Literature Residency 2026

By Ōtepoti He Puna Auaha | Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature | Posted: Friday Aug 21, 2026

The call for applications closes 28th August 2026.

The Bucheon City of Literature office is delighted to announce the launch of the 2026 Bucheon Residency Program, open to writers, poets, translators, graphic storytellers who have at least one published work and are currently engaged in creative writing.

We warmly invite writers, translators and comic/graphic novel creators affiliated with a UNESCO Creative City of Literature (outside of South Korea) to apply for this exciting opportunity. We hope that the chosen guests enjoy this dynamic and unique environment of Bucheon.

This call is for a 4-week residency in November 2026. One applicant will be selected.

During the residency, residents are expected to devote 80% of their time to working on their personal creative project and 20% of their time participating in programmes, events or exchanges, designed in consultation with the Bucheon City of Literature Office.

The offer

• Round-trip airfare and transportation from/to the airport

• Accommodation for approximately one month at the Bucheon Residence

• An opportunity to get engaged with the local cultural scene and connect with the Bucheon literary community

• A dedicated coordinator to help plan meetings, events, and cultural activities

How to apply

• Fill in the online application form (linked below)

Criteria

• Be affiliated with a UNESCO City of Literature outside of South Korea

• Have at least one published work (literature, translation, comics, graphics, etc.)

• Be proficient in English or Korean for communication

• Show interest in Korean culture and literature

• Be willing to participate in the local literary events, meetings, interviews, and festivals

• Attend at least one local literary or exchange event in Korea during the residency

• Produce a piece of creative work that features Bucheon in some form – either as a short text (fiction or non-fiction), serialised writing, or an illustrated work inspired by life in Bucheon or Korean culture. The completed work will remain under the copyright of Bucheon City, to be used for promotional purposes.

Required Documents

• Completed application form (linked below)

• An excerpt form a published work (in original language or English, max. 2 pages)

• A short biography or curriculum vitae

• (Optional) A letter of recommendation

Required documents should be sent to jsy97@korea.kr.