In mid-summer, the Narva Art Residency (NART) and the Estonian Children’s Literature Centre (ELK) launched a call for applications for a residency and grant in Narva for children’s literature creators. By the deadline, 37 applications had been received, including 13 creative tandems. Submissions came from Estonia and abroad, including countries like Montenegro and Germany.
The selection jury consisted of Triin Soone (Director of the Estonian Children’s Literature Centre), Anne Pikkov (illustrator, member of the NART board), Katrin Reinmaa (Päike ja Pilv publishing house), and Johanna Rannula (Head of the Narva Art Residency). All members agreed that there were many excellent applications and a wealth of talent to choose from. The competition attracted numerous professional writers and illustrators. Two grantees were selected—one writer and one illustrator, each awarded 2,000 euros and a month-long residency at NART.
According to library statistics, Greta Alice Liekyte is the most popular children’s book illustrator in Lithuania. She is an active comic artist and conducts numerous workshops worldwide for audiences of all ages. In Narva, she also plans to organize workshops and meetings with locals to gather material for her upcoming wordless comic or picture book. The book will center on bridges—what a bridge is, what it means to the people of Narva, and what it connects.
Veronika Kivisilla, the author of two literature textbooks, has published articles, reviews, poetry, short prose, and more. Describing her interest in the residency, Kivisilla said: “I adapt quickly, immerse myself in new places, get absorbed in stories, and become deeply involved. As a restless soul, I believe the best stories come from stepping out of familiar environments, discovering, and embracing new places.” Kivisilla plans to document the story of the legendary veterinarian Hjalmar Ling, who worked in Narva during Estonia’s First Republic. Ling was a relative of Kivisilla’s close friend: “My friend’s elderly grandmother has shared all sorts of fascinating stories about her uncle Hjalmar. I feel I would love to bring old Narva back to life with its people, animals, children, and Uncle Hjalmar’s spirited Ford, alongside a parallel story about the people, animals, and children of today’s Narva.”
These two creatives will be in residence at NART in October of this year to gather inspiration and work on their planned projects. Liekyte’s wordless comic book mockup and Kivisilla’s manuscript are expected to be completed by spring 2024.
Learn more about the Narva Art Residency here.
Illustration by Greta Alice Liekyte on the theme of Narva and bridges
