The Slovene Writers’ Association (Drustvo Slovenskih Pisateljev, DSP) is probably one of most important civil organisations in recent Slovenian history. In its chambers, the first Slovenian constitution of the emerging Slovenian state was written, the so-called "writers’ constitution". Although this was never enforced, some of its ideas are components of the modern constitution of the Republic of Slovenia. The DSP has a rich tradition of hosting foreign authors and in the past had several rooms available for guest writers. Unfortunately several of these properties no longer belong to the DSP, or are, like the Writers’ Hostel in Sveti Križ above the Piran bay, undergoing renovation which will last a couple of years.

Of course, the DSP strongly supports the idea of mobility of European writers. This is because writers are the people who are most aware of the linguistic differences in Europe; differences which can be bridged by writers writing in their own language but in different countries. These differences become the origin of European cultural essence.

The DSP offers writers and the HALMA grant holders its apartment in Ljubljana. It is located ten minutes’ walk from the very centre of the city where you can find the Slovenian parliament, the opera, the theatre, Cankarjev Cathedral, several museums and galleries, and also the DSP building. If you stay in our apartment you always have access to professional help, if need be. Besides this you can meet several Slovenian authors and, of course, have the opportunity of presenting your work to the Slovenian literary public at a literary evening in the DSP building.

Lenart Zajc


HALMA grant holder Filipa Melo wrote about her stay at the Slovene Writers' Association Apartment. Her essay is available in the European Library of the HALMA network.