Residency Program

El Gouna Writers’ Residency will be launched in 2010 and will host three sessions a year during the months of February, May and June. The length of each session is one month.

During each session, four to six writers are invited to enjoy a full month’s complimentary stay at a beautiful villa in El Gouna, where they will enjoy an intellectual haven providing them with opportunities to interact and exchange thoughts with writers from different walks of life.

Accommodation

A fully furnished villa featuring a private room for each guest designed as both a bedroom and a private writing space with wireless internet connection. Common areas in the villa include a comfortable living room with no TV to encourage concentration, as well as a dinning room for daily dinners.

Breakfast and dinner will be served at the dinning room, giving guests the opportunity for social and intellectual exchange. The villa is also equipped with a kitchen to be used by writers at any time to prepare their lunch and drinks at their convenience..

A dedicated residency manager will be easily reached by telephone and e-mails to ensure full comfort and satisfaction for the guests. Airport transfers, housekeeping, F&B supply, access to some of El Gouna's leisure outlets like swimming pools, beaches and gyms will all be handled by the residency manager.

Publicity

In order to generate publicity for the residency, the writers will be expected to participate in a Reading Day held at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina branch in El Gouna. Press and audience from El Gouna’s Egyptian and international community will be invited. The readings will be given in either English or French.

One or more copies of the book(s), dedicated by the writers, will be placed in El Gouna Library, which is accessible to interested public.

Writers Reports

Writers are expected by the end of the residency to provide a report stating the development of the literary project they have been working on, as well as any comments related to the El Gouna Writers' Residency.