how to apply

In 2026 bi[e]laterale will host in Biel two authors from Italy and two Italian-speaking authors from Switzerland

Authors from Italy will be selected among the students of the Accademia Albertina di Belle Arti in Turin. Authors from Switzerland will be selected through an open call

Participants with children are welcome; the organisation will make every effort to make their participation possible

Would you like to participate?

general requirements

  • writing in Italian
  • knowledge (even basic) of French and/or German
  • interest in literature as a space for linguistic exchange

panel Students of the Accademia Albertina di Belle Arti

By 15 June 2026, please send the following documents in a single PDF file to bielaterale@gmail.com:

  • motivation letter (max. one page)
  • curriculum vitae (max. three pages)
  • description of the writing project you intend to develop during the residency, in dialogue with the other participants and with the students of the Swiss Literary Institute. There are no restrictions regarding literary genre; hybrid and post-genre works are welcome (max. one page).
  • writing sample (max. ten pages)

panel Authors living in Switzerland

By 15 June 2026, please send the following documents in a single PDF file to bielaterale@gmail.com:

  • motivation letter (max. one page)
  • curriculum vitae (max. three pages)
  • description of the writing project you intend to develop during the residency, in dialogue with the other participants and with the students of the Swiss Literary Institute. There are no restrictions regarding literary genre; hybrid and post-genre works are welcome (max. one page).
  • writing sample (max. ten pages)

selection commitee

  • Leonie Achtnich
  • Yari Bernasconi
  • Alessandro De Francesco
  • Ilaria Macera