Guesthouse

April residencies take place at the Still Waters guesthouse, a space designed for relaxation, inspiration, and creativity. It features twelve studio-style apartments, ranging from 26 to 40 sq. m, each with a small kitchen and bathroom; most offer views of Lake Galvė and Trakai Castle.

Still Waters blends seamlessly into Trakai’s historical and cultural surroundings. The building’s façade harmoniously echoes the wooden clapboard siding characteristic of Trakai’s Old Town. In collaboration with designer Morta Griškevičiūtė, an original linen textile collection inspired by Karaim ethnic patterns and colour palettes was created for the guesthouse, including bedding, towels, blankets, and robes.

The name of the guesthouse derives from the Latin phrase altissima quaeque flumina minimo sono labi, better known in English as “still waters run deep”, and also associated with the line “Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep” from Shakespeare’s play Henry VI. It is conceived as a space for silence and creativity, reflection and inspiration.

Guests at Still Waters have access to the April writing residency library, which houses a collection of contemporary literature and artists’ texts in Lithuanian, English, German, and other languages, as well as literary periodicals. The guesthouse’s common areas and studio-style apartments are designed with quality rest in mind, featuring contemporary artworks alongside amenities for relaxation and exercise.