Simona Hamer, a freelance playwright and theatre author based in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovakia, takes stock of her literary residency at Vil·la Joana this year: ‘I loved the serene and isolated environment of Vil·la Joana, which provided me with the ideal setting to work in a concentrated way, and at the same time being so close to the city, where I could be inspired by museums, art galleries, shows, architecture…’.
During her stay, Hamer worked in a literary project that explores a feminist perspective on urban planning and the problems of gentrification and touristification. One of the most inspiring experiences for her was the visit to Ca la Dona, where she learned about the history of the house and the feminist movement in Barcelona. During the three weeks of residence, she sketched out the basic plot of the play, which has evolved to focus on a group of women attending a self-defence class.
Hamer has visited Barcelona before, and explains that she really appreciates ‘the atmosphere, the culture and the history’.
For creators who hesitate about doing a literary residency, Hamer has a clear message: ‘Do it! The playwright informs us that she is also working on her first novel, a romantic story with a feminist touch, and she is looking forward to finishing the play she started in Barcelona, which has the provisional title No!
More information about the residences at Vil·la Joana, in this link.
