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Edinburgh welcomes rising star of polish literature

The winner of the Lord Provost’s International Residency has been announced as Ahsan Ridha Hassan from Krakow City of Literature.

Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust is delighted to announce the name of the writer selected to come to Edinburgh for a month-long residency, through the Lord Provost’s International Residency. Following a highly competitive open call, Ahsan Ridha Hassan from Krakow has been chosen to spend November developing his work in the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature.

Ahsan Ridha Hassan is a writer based in Krakow who has already published a range of articles and short stories, including his debut collection „Wieża” (2014) and his follow-up „Trupojad i dziewczyna” (2017). He will be using his time in Edinburgh to work on his new novel, while getting to know Edinburgh and its literary community.  

This is the first International Residency between the two cities and it will forge new connections between the two Cities of Literature, connecting their reading and writing communities and celebrating their Partner City relationship.

- The work undertaken by Edinburgh and Krakow as UNESCO Cities of Literature has reinforced our partnership and allowed our creative communities to flourish and grow together. The opportunity for exchange with Krakow through writers, libraries and our local communities contributes greatly to Edinburgh’s international outlook. (...) I want to congratulate Ahsan Ridha Hassan on securing this much sought-after residency and look forward to welcoming him to Edinburgh, the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature - said Lord Provost Frank Ross.

- The Lord Provost’s International Residency is a great opportunity to showcase Edinburgh as a City of Literature, and welcome one of Krakow’s most exciting new talents into our incredible creative community - said Ali Bowden, Director of the City of Literature Trust.

As part of his month-long residency, starting on 1st November, the writer will be offered a place as a Community Fellow at the Institute of Advanced Studies at the University of Edinburgh (IASH). The Fellowship includes access to university libraries and resources, as well as desk space in one of Scotland’s ancient universities.

Professor Steve Yearley, IASH Director, expressed how pleased the Institute was to have a new Community Fellow sponsored by Edinburgh and Krakow Cities of Literature and the Lord Provost: „We’re delighted to welcome Ahsan Ridha Hassan and the exciting, timely writing that his work represents.”

Previous Community Fellow at IASH include Korean author Kim Ae-ran in 2014 and Scottish writer Jemma Neville in 2017.

During his time in Edinburgh, Ahsan will be staying at The Place Hotel, in the heart of the Georgian New Town, based in one of the hotel’s literary-themed suites.

The Lord Provost’s International Residency is devised and delivered by Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust and is supported by the Lord Provost, City of Edinburgh Council, IASH, Edinburgh Tourism Action Group and Krakow City of Literature.