Since 2015, Tartu has been part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as a City of Literature. The literary activities in Tartu are coordinated by the Estonian Literary Society, which also organizes residencies for foreign writers interested in Tartu. LOORE's questions are answered by Marja Unt, Director of the Estonian Literary Society and coordinator of Tartu City of Literature.
1. What is it like to run a residency?
Organizing residencies tends to be a strange mix of strategic planning and considerable chaos. And knowing that the most important thing is always the person, not the plan or its execution. There's also the feeling that the pool of knowledge and experience is constantly growing, and the most central feeling is probably gratitude—that residencies allow us to meet very interesting people, get to know them and their work, and support them in their endeavors.
2. What is the most important thing to know about the Estonian Literary Society residency?
The Estonian Literary Society residency has a very personalized approach: we host only one writer or translator at a time; we always provide our resident with a contact person who helps them acclimate to local life and plan public appearances. We plan events and performances based on the specific resident, their work, and their preferences.
3. Why are you members of LOORE?
The world of creative residencies is very diverse, and it seems to have significantly expanded in recent years. The founding of LOORE was, therefore, extremely timely, as the network helps us stay informed about the activities of other residency organizers, exchange experiences, and also make residencies and their societal importance more visible.
4. A question, choose one of the two (but you can answer both): a) A mighty crab grants you one wish, what would you wish for?
b) What will the Estonian Literary Society residency be like in 15 years?
a) That b) becomes achievable.
b) In 15 years, the Estonian Literary Society will offer various residency programs year-round, the Ristikivi residency apartment will be a sought-after stop for writers from all over the world, and more and more writers will come to Tartu, finding here a new source of inspiration.
Writers Christiane Vadnais (Canada), David Hartley (UK), and Penny Boxall (UK), who have been in residency in Tartu as part of various projects, in a discussion panel, photo by Maria Kilk
Ron Whitehead at Insomniacathon 2023 photo by Johanna Roos
The building of the Ristikivi residency apartment in Tähtvere.
Christiane Vadnais (Canada), the spring 2024 resident of the City of Literature, and Tartu City Writer Maarja Pärtna performing at Prima Vista photo by Heleri Keeman.
The book Ööd muuseumis / Nights at the Museum by 2019 resident Ron Whitehead (USA) and Jinn Bug is about Ron's experiences in Tartu, translated by Doris Kareva photo by Olari Pilnik.
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