Literature from Abroad in Germany

Nothing conveys the way a nation thinks and feels better than its literature. However, the international book market is distinctly asymmetrical. Many authors leading the field in their own country, particularly in the case of 'smaller' cultures, are entirely unknown in the German book market. The financial risks involved in publishing these works in Germany are often too high for publishers to contemplate. The promotion of reading tours by authors from abroad, literary days, support for translations, and help with licence fees are all intended to encourage German publishers to include works particularly from Africa, Asia, Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe in their lists.

Together with the Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen and with financial support from the Foreign Office and 'Pro Helvetia,' the "Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Literatur aus Afrika, Asien und Lateinamerika e.V." [Society for the Promotion of Literature from Africa, Asia and Latin America] supports translations of important literary texts from these regions.

It is considered as a priority to support the work of authors whose publications so far have not been translated into German on a broader scale, or not at all. This support also covers publications from countries whose literature is underrepresented on the German market.

Applications for support should be submitted until 1st April or 1st November of the current year. Only German or Swiss publishers are entitled to apply.

For more information on the support of translation work (website in German), please contact

Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Literatur aus Afrika, Asien und Lateinamerika e. V.

Reineckstraße 3

60313 Frankfurt am Main

Ansprechpartnerin Petra Kassler

E-Mail: litprom@book-fair.com

Tel: +49 69 2102-113

FAX:+49-69-2102-227

www.litprom.de

The students' representation of the course of studies "Regional studies on Latin America" at Cologne University has compiled links to information ressources on Latin America, Spain and Portugal. Besides other material links on Latin American, Spanish and Portuguese literature are provided (in German, Portugese and Spanish).

The library of the Ibero-American Institute is Europe‘s largest library specialized in Latin America, the Caribbean, as well as Spain and Portugal. It comprises approx. 800,000 items, including 27.000 periodicals. The stock covers most academic fields, among them literature studies. Several databases, e.g. the library catalogue (OPAC) of the Ibero-American Institute, as well as an E-journal directory are offered online.

The 'Literary Colloquium Berlin' - with support from the Foreign Office and the Senatsverwaltung für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kultur, Berlin - supports translations of contemporary belles lettres from Central and Eastern Europe. Grants are aproved by a jury which meets twice yearly, in autumn and spring. Applications for support for projects involving as yet unpublished works must reach the Colloquium by the 15th of September or the 15th of March, respectively. So far over 70 translations have received financial support. A list of books currently receiving support as well as the programme specifications are available under Literarisches Colloqium (website in German).

The grant programme Border Crossers organised by the Robert Bosch Foundation in cooperation with the Literary Colloquium Berlin grants support for literary inquiry. Authors preparing publications that focus on making Central and Eastern European issues accessible to a wide audience both in Germany and abroad can apply for a scholarship supporting their literary inquiry work. The publications may deal with a wide range of topics and focus on different countries and historical periods. The genres may range from literary prose, children's and youth literature and essays through documentary scripts and radio shows. Application deadlines are April 30 and October 31 of each year. Applications will be received by the Literary Colloquium Berlin (website in German).

The library of the Herder-Institut (website in German) in Marburg has been collecting literature from and about Central and Eastern Europe since its beginnings. It is one of the most popular institutions in its field. The literature stock covers political, cultural, economic and social history of today's states Poland, Czech republic, Slovakia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania as well as of the historic German Eastern territories and settlement areas in Eastern Europe. A vast information system is now available online. Moreover the Herder-Institut provides a bibliographical database on the History of Central and Eastern Europe being an invaluable source of information for research in this field.

The website Polska2000 contains material prepared by the Literary Group "polska2000" at Villa Decius for the Polish appearance as Guest of Honor at the Frankfurt Book Fair in the year 2000. New materials are prepeared by the same group in the Adam Mickiewicz Institute. It contains most of the current Polish authors and books.

While many reading tours are organised by German publishers and literary institutions, others are organised by the Haus der Kulturen der Welt (House of World Cultures) in Berlin and by the Goethe Forum in Munich (website in German). These readings are frequently part of larger regional or thematic programmes organised by the promoters.

From all over the world, translators commissioned by publishing houses come to Straelen in order to work at the Europäisches Übersetzer-Kollegium (European Translators' College, pdf-download of an english information version). This institution provides various resources as well as an opportunity of meeting colleagues, of working together, and of exchanging advice and experiences. In addition to the use of a work station and the library, it is possible to stay at one of 29 apartments owned by the college. The EÜK also offers scholarships and seminars.

For more information, please contact

Europäisches Übersetzer-Kollegium (EÜK)

Karin Heinz, Dr. Regina Peeters

Postfach 1162, D-47628 Straelen

e-mail:euk.straelen@euk-straelen.de

Tel.: +49 2834 1068 oder 1069

Fax: +49 2834 7544

By its programme Building Literary Bridges the Robert Bosch Foundation wants to support professional literary translators from Central and Southeastern European countries, member states of the CIS, China as well as Germany, Switzerland, and Austria who translate from and into German. Grant opportunities range from workshops and trainings to scholarships, events, and publications. In this context projects are eligible for funding that support translators, promote international exchange and the transfer of knowledge amongst translators, or events or publications that enhance the public image of translating. Project proposals as well as application requests are received at any time. The funding of translation fees beyond the scope of work scholarships is not possible.

In line with its CULTURE-Programme 2007-2013 the European Union fosters literary translation projects. Publishing houses can be awarded grants for translations and publication of works of fiction from one European language into another European language.

For further information on application modalities please consult the CULTURE-Programme Guide: http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/culture/programme/documents/programme_guide_culture_nov_2009_en.pdfhttp://eacea.ec.europa.eu/culture/programme/documents/programme_guide_culture_nov_2009_de.pdf

The Akademie Schloss Solitude promotes with its scholarship programmes mainly younger, particularly gifted international artists from the disciplines architecture, visual art, performing art, design, literature, music/sound, video/film/new media.

The application round ends on October 31, 2010, application forms and further information at http://bewerbung.akademie-solitude.de.

The Federal Government Commissioner for Cultural and Media Affairs together with the P.E.N. (Poets, Essayists, Novelists) Centre, Germany has established the "Writers in Exile" programme.

With this endowment and in cooperation with the German section of P.E.N., the German government supports artists living in Germany in political exile.