KIRAATHANE takes inspiration from the European literature house movement, was the first such venture in Turkey but has already encouraged like-minded centres elsewhere. It was founded in October 2018, at a time when the public discourse was increasingly constricted by political pressures and polarisation. Since then, it has developed a recognisable style of informal but informed debate.

KIRAATHANE translates as “House of Recitation,” which in the nineteenth century referred to a well-appointed coffee house, a place to read or be read to. Like the old London coffee houses, a KIRAATHANE served as a kind of sanctuary for free discussion among equals. Today, independent publishers organise book fairs at KIRAATHANE, trans-feminists dance the tango here, readers attend lectures on neglected post-War Armenian novels. There are writers in residence schemes that bring Hisham Matar to talk about Conrad but also popular workshops on writing a family history or for learning Greek. There are lectures, exhibitions, book launches- a new event pretty much every day.
KIRAATHANE inhabits a turn of the century building situated emblematically at the heart of multi-cultural Istanbul. It allows its meeting rooms to be used by other civil society organisations, has a book store and a well-frequented coffee shop.

Admission to virtually all activities at KIRAATHANE is free upon pre-registration in order to attract the widest possible audience. It has organic links to K24, Turkey’s most popular online literary review, and like that publication provides a practical demonstration that individuals have a stake in freedom of expression and its defence.

AREA / SUBJECT OF THE FELLOWSHIP

Writer in residence

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED FELLOWSHİP ACTIVITY

The fellowship is designed to attract a writer in residence who will contribute to the intellectual life of the Istanbul literature house as well as benefit from the atmosphere and facilities of the house. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to pursue a book project – a description (no more than 1000 words) of which should be submitted as part of their application. The fellow will be expected to deliver a series of at least four lectures (hopefully in English – or Turkish) and conduct one seminar; all or some of which may be published in K24, the online literary review. KIRAATHANE is prepared to consider any set of interests – fiction or non-fiction, but will give weighted attention to a project that makes particular use of being in Istanbul. KIRAATHANE, will be launching a series of events and lectures in a very immediate future on nationalism in its current mutation and additional consideration will be given to a candidate able to contribute to that debate and able to take up residency on short notice.

EXPECTED PROFILE

The ideal candidate will be an established author with an interest and ability to share experiences in their particular field with like-minded colleagues from Turkey.

CONDITIONS OF THE FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY

 The office hours are from 10:00 till 18:00 on weekdays.

PROPOSED TIME FOR THE FELLOWSHIP

 One month between April and June 2020.