Celje: City of Literature

Celje in Slovenia is UNESCO City of Literature since 2025. Anika Popovic told us more about Celjes rich literary history and the projects for the UNESCO City of Literature.

What makes Celje a UNESCO City of Literature and why did you decide to apply for the title? 

Celje applied for the title of UNESCO City of Literature because literature is deeply embedded in the city’s history, institutions, and everyday life. From Roman Celeia and the humanist legacy of the Counts of Celje (an influential late medieval noble dynasty from the territory of present-day Slovenia whose reign was an extremely important part of Celje's history and who remain one of the city's most recognizable historical symbols), to the global literary figure Alma M. Karlin and Slovenia’s oldest publishing house Celjska Mohorjeva družba, literature has continuously shaped the city’s identity. This tradition is further reflected in nationally significant literary events such as the Veronika Award for poetry and Roš's Days for young creatives, both of which boast an exceptional legacy and play a key role in promoting literary culture. At the same time, the city is actively committed to fostering and strengthening reading literacy across all generations, ensuring that literature remains a living and accessible practice. Celje has also been home to, or a source of inspiration for, a remarkable number of literary figures throughout history and the present, further underscoring its enduring creative vitality.  

The decision to apply had multiple intertwined goals: to strengthen international cooperation in the creative sphere, create new opportunities for Celje’s creative talents, and use literature as a driver of dialogue, social inclusion, sustainable development, and cultural openness within the UNESCO Creative Cities network. 

What was the focus of your application and what projects did you start during the application process? 

The application focused on positioning literature as a catalyst for community cohesion, urban renewal, and international exchange. It emphasized Celje’s strong public infrastructure (especially the city’s public library and museums), as well as our inclusive reading programs, publishing activity, and digital innovation. 

During the application process, the city aligned its cultural, tourism, and sports strategies more closely and prepared several major infrastructure projects that will also benefit the literary scene in Celje, including the construction of the new Center for Urban Culture. At the same time, it strengthened the international dimension of festivals such as Fabula, the largest literary festival in Slovenia, which takes place in Celje and Ljubljana, Slovenia’s two UNESCO Cities of Literature. We hope to add an international element to the Veronika Award as well. An international travel festival, named Alma’s Festival in homage to the one-of-a-kind Alma M. Karlin, is also in the works.  

How did the local literary scene react to the application and the title itself? 

We were very pleased to see the local literary scene greet the new title with enthusiasm. Writers, publishers, translators, librarians, and cultural organizations were already involved in the application process, so the title was widely perceived as a shared achievement and a confirmation of the quality of work that Celje has been doing in the creative sphere. 

The recognition has reinforced confidence in the city’s long-term cultural investment and created optimism about new international opportunities, mobility, and professional visibility for Celje’s creative talents. 

What is going to be your focus as a UNESCO City of Literature, do you already have an idea? 

Our main focus will be on the following aspects: 

• Strengthening Celje’s literary environment through better coordination and communication, international opportunities, and professional support for writers and literary professionals.
• Encouraging international exchange, especially through residencies, international and interdisciplinary projects, and festival cooperation with other Cities of Literature.

• Embedding literature in urban life, by integrating storytelling, reading culture, and literary heritage into public spaces, digital platforms, and the city’s cultural identity.
• Strengthening the creative industries in the city, with a specific focus on cultural tourism. 

What are your hopes and expectations regarding Celje now being part of UNESCO’s Creative Cities network? 

Celje hopes to gain knowledge, visibility, and long-term partnerships through the Network. It offers access to best practices in literary activities, projects, festivals, and cultural governance, while also giving Celje the opportunity to contribute its own experience and initiatives. 

We see the Network as a platform for exchange and collaboration, where cities can inspire each other and develop projects that strengthen literature’s role in society. 

Does Celje already offer a residency program for authors from other UNESCO Cities of Literature and how is it structured? 

Celje has already hosted resident writers in the years 2025 and 2026 as part of the Fabula literature festival. We are also working on establishing our own residency program, building on our long-standing experience with the Air Celeia artist-in-residence program, and working on establishing a dedicated literary residency for writers, translators, and literary professionals from other Cities of Literature. 

Currently, there are plans for one international author per year to be hosted, with plans to expand the program in the future. The concept for the residency combines time for creative work with public readings, collaboration with local authors, and institutional support from the library and cultural partners. 

Later on in 2026, we are planning to host Chen Danyan as our first residence writer, introducing her to the lively creative scene in Celje and introducing Celje to Chen Danyan’s fascinating works.   

What do you think: What makes Bremen a UNESCO City of Literature? 

Well, I think it is only fitting that the setting of the famous fairytale The Bremen Town Musicians is a City of Literature. 

From everything we have learned since you became our buddy city, as we take our first steps as a UNESCO City of Literature, it is clear that Bremen has both a strong literary heritage and a lively contemporary creative scene. It is impressive to see the many ways in which Bremen integrates literature into the life of the city, actively encourages new initiatives, and welcomes opportunities for collaboration. 

Personally, I am especially interested in your Crime Time – Prime Time festival, as it seems like a particularly fun and creative way to highlight genre literature.