In the autumn of 2019, Leeuwarden was given the permanent title of “City of Literature” by UNESCO. And whole the province of Fryslân is joining! So now, in 2024, we have been part of the Creative Cities Network of UNESCO for five years. A milestone to reflect on. What has happened, been written, presented in the past five years? On these pages we present figures and a few striking projects. We also briefly look ahead (please scroll down). Leeuwarden UNESCO City of Literature is here to stay!
Exactly what is Leeuwarden City of Literature?
What and who have we reached?
114 fiction writers were given an assignment
63 poets were given an assignment
81 translators were given an assignment
3 comic artists were given an assignment
5 writers on residency in Leeuwarden
3 Frisian writers on (digital) residencies elsewhere
10 international projects, incl. projects with/in other CoL cities
9 writers/illustrators taken to LIT-UP meetings
49 students “Skriuwersfakskoalle” (Frisian writers’ school)
36 supervisors trained for our shared reading project
5 masterclass series for 24 writers
8 books on prescription consultations offered
18 locations where shared reading sessions take place
All in collaboration with the “Culturele Apotheek”
5 times magazine LETTER published
4 ezines published
2 editions of network meeting “Lettertreffen”
several times a year meeting literary organizations Leeuwarden
Projects
Mei-inoar lêze (samenlezen)
Want to read about the projects? That’s possible of course:
The pictures above were taken by Lucas Kemper (2x), Marc de fotograaf, Natalia Balanina, Jacob van Essen, Natalia Balanina, Rosa van Eederen and Natalia Balanina.
Upcoming activities
There are some great activities coming up in which we are involved. You can also submit a text for our Arcadia project for next year: “Klein geluk” (Small Delights) until Sunday 10 November. See below.
