The purpose of the residency was to provide students with a conducive environment away from home (UK) to focus on writing their dissertations

In a bilateral collaboration, the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV) and the University of East Anglia (UEA) came together to host the first creative writing residency within the Aurora alliance. The event held from the 3rd to the 14th of July in Tarragona celebrated literary excellence and cultural exchange.

The residency began with an institutional welcome from URV’s International Centre and Linguistic Service, providing an introductory session on Catalonia’s history and language. Professor Jean McNeil from UEA led an inspiring one-day creative writing workshop at Campus Catalunya, honing students’ writing skills through engaging exercises. UEA students also explored Tarragona’s Creative Writing School, the Escola de Lletres, gaining unique insights into the local literary scene.

The social program allowed UEA students to witness the spectacle of human towers (castells) and a fireworks competition at the city’s beach. The residency’s highlight was the closing event at School House Tarragona, where students presented their literary tapas – a delectable mix of non-fiction, scriptwriting, poetry, and prose, showcasing the talent of the visiting writers.

The success of this inaugural Aurora writing residency was a testament to the dedication and collaboration of all involved parties – the organizers, URV, UEA, and specially, the students.

Looking ahead, URV and UEA are planning a second edition of the Creative Writing Residency for the upcoming academic year involving all Aurora partner universities. This initiative promises to strengthen international ties and provide a platform for budding writers to thrive in a community of literary excellence.