The Madrid-born writer and journalist will undertake a two-month creative residency in the French capital early next year.

Madrid, 07/09/2026 — Acción Cultural Española (AC/E), the Embassy of France in Spain, and the Mairie de Paris —with the support of the Residencia de Estudiantes in Madrid and the Cité des Arts— have announced the final selection for their joint literary exchange program. The chosen author for the 2027 edition is writer and journalist Mercedes Cebrián.

This residency program aims to promote the mobility of domestic authors, foster creative production within a multidisciplinary environment, and strengthen cultural ties between France and Spain. Thanks to this initiative, Cebrián will develop an ongoing literary project within an optimal international artistic setting between January 5 and February 26, 2027.

The stay at the iconic Cité des Arts in Paris includes a financial grant provided by the Mairie de Paris to cover living and production expenses. It also covers round-trip travel costs and provides technical support to facilitate the author's engagement with local cultural networks and fellow international residents.

About the resident

Mercedes Cebrián (Madrid, 1971) has a distinguished career spanning essays, chronicles, poetry, and fiction. Among her most recent works are the essay Estimada Clientela. Una celebración del arte de ir de compras (Siruela, 2026) and the autobiographical memoir Cocido y violonchelo (Random House, 2022).

Holding a Bachelor's Degree in Information Sciences from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid and a Master's Degree in Hispanic Studies from the University of Pennsylvania, Cebrián has extensive experience in creative residencies, having previously joined prestigious centers such as the Royal Academy of Spain in Rome, the Finestres literary residency, and the MALBA museum in Buenos Aires.

Furthermore, she maintains an active role in journalism and cultural outreach. She regularly contributes to media outlets like Letras Libres magazine, the supplements Babelia and El Viajero from El País, Cultura/s from La Vanguardia, and various programs on Radio Clásica (RNE). She also served as the guest editor for the publishing label Caballo de Troya (Penguin Random House) during 2018.