polip is an international literature festival that brings together authors from the former Yugoslavia and other European countries. However, polip surpasses the basic premise of a literature festival by far: It's about concepts of trust and a broader understanding of post-conflict peace building in a region with particularly traumatized societies that live separately without trying to work through the past.
The festival would like to position literature as the basis of a reciprocal communication that catalyzes processes of conflict resolution in the region. polip's concept contains elements adapted from trust building activities and conflict prevention strategies, which are aimed at preventing the violent escalation of disputes. Rather than just passively attending the festival, participating authors see themselves as active collaborators in the project.

Aside from readings and discussions, the program features concerts, and workshops in translation as well as poetry. polip takes place in Pristina on an annual basis. It was initiated by Qendra Multimedia, a cultural production firm based in Pristina. Recent editions have been co-organized by Beton, a cultural organization and journal with offices in Belgrade.