LLIF Residency: 14 European writers to spend 14 days at Tŷ Newydd Writing Centre exploring the relationship between language, landscape and ecology

Published Fri 4 Apr 2025 - By Literature Wales

We’re thrilled to announce the names of the 14 European writers who will collaborate during a creative retreat at Tŷ Newydd this May. The retreat, which takes place between 17 – 30 May, focuses on themes of ecology, the climate emergency, and community with a specific emphasis on minority languages and dialects.

Among the participants are five Welsh writers: Meleri Wyn Davies, Hywel Griffiths, Elinor Gwynn, Mererid Hopwood and clare e. potter, selected through an open call-out last autumn. Travelling from various European countries, the writers joining them at Tŷ Newydd will be Gianna Olinda Cadonau (Switzerland), Pol Guasch (Catalonia, Spain), Kristin Höller (Germany), Maarja Pärtna (Estonia), Ligija Purinaša (Latvia), Tina Perić (Slovenia), Mónika Rusvai (Hungary), Kim Simonsen (Faroe Islands) a Syds Wiersma (Friesland, Netherlands).

Images of the 14 writers taking part in the LLIF residency. — The 14 writers taking part in the LLIF residency.

You can read more about each writer on the LLIF project page.

“This retreat is an important step for me, not only as an ambassador for the Welsh language, but also to learn from people speaking minority languages across the world. I look forward to seeing what solutions may arise to protect and foster languages and our planet.” – clare e. potter
“As a poet and a geographer, our landscape and climate and our relationship with them have been dominant themes in my work for years, and it will be a fantastic experience to discuss these themes in the company of other writers interested in these fields.” – Hywel Griffiths
“I am very much looking forward to the exchange with Welsh poets and authors from other countries, and exploring contexts, coming from different languages and landscapes. I’m looking forward to learning more about poetic and other connections between language, ecology, our environment and living environments.” – Gianna Olinda Cadonau
During my time at the literary retreat in Wales, I seek to deepen my understanding of how literature can illuminate the connections between humans and the more-than-human world—how storytelling can make us see anew, with greater attention to the unnoticed and the fragile” – Kim Simonsen

This two-week retreat creates a unique space for artistic exploration and a cross-cultural dialogue between the writers. They will engage in workshops, open conversations, field trips, and creative reflection, as well as plenty of time to meditate, ponder and create in the quiet, tranquil atmosphere of Tŷ Newydd Writing Centre. The retreat culminates with a visit to the Hay Festival, where participants can network, experience the festival’s highlights, and share their reflections in a public event at the Writers at Work tent.

We’re grateful to all the funders and partners who have made this retreat possible: EUNIC London, Welsh Government, Wales Arts International through Arts Council Wales, British Council, Literature Across Frontiers, and Hay Festival.