We are looking for a Turkish author at the beginning of their career who would like to participate in a literary residency in Cologne from March 6, 2026 for six weeks! If you are interested in the literary scene in Germany and open to exchanging ideas with literary experts while having a unique intercultural experience, we look forward to receiving your application.
The Seyir Quartier program consists of three parts. In the first part of the residency, the author Zelal Dicle Baz was our guest in Cologne from October to November, and for the second episode, the literary curator Luisa Ringel will be a guest of the city of Cologne at Atelier Galata in Istanbul from the beginning of December to the end of January.
Collaboration between the episodes is not mandatory, but it is encouraged and supported by us.
Program details:
- Application deadline: December 3, 2025 – December 31, 2025
- Residency period: March 6, 2025 – April 19, 2026
- Duration: 6 weeks
- Location: Quartier am Hafen, Cologne, Germany
Requirements:
An author at the beginning of their career will be selected by an independent jury from Istanbul and Cologne. English or German language skills are required, German language skills are an advantage.
Services:
The travel and accommodation costs at Quartier am Hafen will be covered, and a scholarship of €1,200 will be paid. Depending on the wishes of the author, readings, workshops, discussions and visits to events of the lit.COLOGNE literary festival are offered. Projects developed jointly with Cologne artists and publishing experts are supported. Applications from parents are welcomed and supported.
Application procedure:
You can send questions about the program to seyirquartier@gmail.com, your application must be sent to the same address by December 31.
The selected author will be announced in mid-January.
Application documents (in Turkish or German):
- Curriculum vitae: Publications, awards, scholarships or relevant (published or unpublished) literary experience should be indicated, and it should be explained why you are at the beginning of your career (e.g. because the first publication was no more than 10 years ago or you are under 40 years old).
- Letter of motivation: Explain how this program can help you, and indicate your connection to Germany or Cologne if applicable. If you are interested in joint projects with other episodes of the program/cooperations, please also indicate this.
- Current work: Maximum 15 pages from a current working draft.
- Sample works: Maximum 2 excerpts from previous works, each no longer than 10 pages.
About Seyir Quartier
The Turkish word “seyir” stands for observation in motion – a journey of discovery – while “Quartier” reflects both the close literary community of Cologne and Istanbul and refers to Quartier am Hafen as the residency location. The Seyir Quartier literary residency connects these worlds and offers a space for inspiration and growth.
The project is funded by
Seyir Quartier is a cooperation of
and 
Our cooperation partners: Frankfurter Buchmesse, Verein zur Förderung der Städtepartnerschaft Köln – Istanbul e.V., NEOLA art projects e.V., Kulturbunker Köln-Mülheim, das “andere” Literaturcafé, Theodor-Wonja-Michael Bibliothek, Portiko-Lesungen (Yapı Kredi Kultur und Kunst)
