Homines Urbani Literary Residencies – Wiktoria Bieżuńska 06.10.2025
The Homines Urbani scholarship program, organized by the Villa Decius Association since 2002, supports writers, translators, and journalists. Its aim is to create a space for creative work, exchange of experiences, and intercultural dialogue. Participants of the residency have the opportunity to develop their literary projects in the inspiring surroundings of Kraków and to engage with the local artistic community.
Wiktoria Bieżuńska (born December 11, 1985, in Elbląg) is a writer, art critic, and author whose debut novel Przechodząc przez próg, zagwiżdżę (Whistling as I Cross the Threshold) was met with acclaim from both readers and critics. She studied art history and Polish philology at the University of Gdańsk and has published critical texts on contemporary art in magazines such as Obieg and Szum.
Her novel Przechodząc przez próg, zagwiżdżę was nominated for the prestigious NIKE Literary Award 2023 and was a finalist for the Gdynia Literary Award and the Witold Gombrowicz Literary Award. In addition, Wiktoria is a laureate of the Pomeranian Literary Award “Wiatr od morza” and the Witold Gombrowicz Literary Award (associated with a residency in Vence). She currently lives in Gdańsk (Wrzeszcz).
As part of the Homines Urbani program at Villa Decius, Wiktoria is working on a new novel. The residency offers her the opportunity to step away from everyday obligations and focus on her writing, drawing inspiration from the surroundings and the vibrant literary community. The program provides participants not only with space and financial and organizational support but also with opportunities for author meetings and interaction with other writers and translators.
Residencies such as Homines Urbani create a unique space for writers to develop their literary projects, build intercultural connections, and deepen literary dialogue between Poland, Ukraine, and Germany. Participants gain the invaluable experience of working in inspiring conditions, exchanging ideas with fellow authors, and presenting the outcomes of their residencies to a broader audience.
Her novel Przechodząc przez próg, zagwiżdżę was nominated for the prestigious NIKE Literary Award 2023 and was a finalist for the Gdynia Literary Award and the Witold Gombrowicz Literary Award. In addition, Wiktoria is a laureate of the Pomeranian Literary Award “Wiatr od morza” and the Witold Gombrowicz Literary Award (associated with a residency in Vence). She currently lives in Gdańsk (Wrzeszcz).
As part of the Homines Urbani program at Villa Decius, Wiktoria is working on a new novel. The residency offers her the opportunity to step away from everyday obligations and focus on her writing, drawing inspiration from the surroundings and the vibrant literary community. The program provides participants not only with space and financial and organizational support but also with opportunities for author meetings and interaction with other writers and translators.
Residencies such as Homines Urbani create a unique space for writers to develop their literary projects, build intercultural connections, and deepen literary dialogue between Poland, Ukraine, and Germany. Participants gain the invaluable experience of working in inspiring conditions, exchanging ideas with fellow authors, and presenting the outcomes of their residencies to a broader audience.