Competition for young writers living in UNESCO Cities of Literature

Kuhmo City, Kuhmo Town Library and Kuhmo’s City of Literature programme in Finland are calling for texts from 15 to 21-year-old writers living in member cities of the UNESCO Cities of Literature Network for their 2024 competition. The theme of the competition is the meaning of mother language.

In 2023 Kuhmo celebrated its status as the Finno-Uralic Culture Capital, and shone a light on the traditions of this language. At the same time this marked the fifth year as an UNESCO City of Literature. They are now calling for applications for the writing competition on the theme of mother langauge. 

Applicants can choose the style of writing, although the text must be 800–1,500 words. Applicants will write two versions of the text: one in the mother language, and one in English. 

The winner will receive a prize of 400 EUR. They will also have the opportunity to perform their text at a public literary event organised by Kuhmo’s City of Literature Team. Writers placed second and third will be awarded with books. The 10 best texts will be gathered into an exhibition, which will be on public display at Kuhmo.

UNESCO Cities of Literature writing competition application guidelines

Deadline: 29 March 2024