Next Page Foundation is the Bulgarian partner in the international initiativeTranslation in Motion, launched in February 2021 by a cluster of translation centres from eight European countries from the Western Balkans and EU-member states.
Translation in Motion’s ambition isto push for and aid the increase of the number, diversity and quality of literary works available to readers across Europe.
We believe literary translators are influential and driven ambassadors of intercultural dialogue. By giving audiences access to the wealth of literature written in other languages, they are the key players in the mutual enrichment of European literatures and culture.
We recognize literary translation centres and residencies asthe strategic institutions backing the creation of quality literary translations. They offer translators time for focused creative work on a literary translation project, the opportunity to immerse themselves in the local culture and source language and of their translation, to carry out research, discover new literary voices and exchange with colleagues.
Key activities
The Translation in Motion initiative, hence, will support international mobility and professional development of literary translators working from and into the languages of the Western Balkans as well as the networking and expanse of translation residency centres by offering:
Translation residencies for literary translators working from and into the languages of the Western Balkans in nine centres across Europe;
International workshops for literary translators working into the languages of the Western Balkans;
Opportunities for translation residency centres in the Western Balkans and in other European countries to network and exchange, with view of the further internationalisation of their vital work;
A comprehensive mapping of all translation residency centres all over Europe, alongside description of their business models and programs.
The project will connect the relatively new translation centres from the Western Balkans with suchlike organizations in other parts of Europe and give them equal footing in the future joint activities of the European network RECIT. Along the way, project cooperation will nurture new contacts within the translators’ milieu across Europe but also within the book and literary sector at large, as well as with cultural policy-makers.
The professional development workshops willlay the groundwork for a sustainable system for vocational training in literary translation in the Western Balkans that will increase employability, confidence and motivation of literary translators working from and into Western Balkan languages.
Ultimately, the Translation in Motion project is about a diverse and lively flow of translated literature across European languages and about new and long-lasting partnerships, based on equality and mutual understanding.
Project activities carried out in Bulgaria:
Creative residencies for literary translators from and into Bulgarian, public events, meetings and lectures with participation of the residents:
The first edition of the international Balkan Studio for Literary Translation took place in the autumn of 2022. The programme offered hands-on sessions on participants’ translations with experienced mentors, consensus translation of excerpts, vice versa translation, as well as workshops, lectures, discussions and networking in multi-language and multicultural environment. Additional information on the Studio is available here.
The report "A Mapping of Literary Translation Residencies in Europe"
Produced within the project, the report "A mapping of Literary Translation Residencies in Europe" sheds a light on the variety of organizational and funding models with the aim to inspire other organisations, policy makers and cultural activists. The digital edition of "A mapping of Literary Translation Residencies in Europe" is available here.
The publication „Literary Translation Workshops. A handbook for the Western Balkans partners of the Translation in Motion Project“
Inspired by the project, the goal of the handbook is to guide professionals in the field of literature and literary translation – academics, translators, editors, proofreaders, publishers, NGO activists, literary agents, culture-journalists, etc. – on how to initiate, conceptualise, curate, organise, and advertise intensive literary-translation training courses, events that bring together people from different backgrounds and with different levels of knowledge. The handbook is available here.
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Next Page Foundation is partnering for this project with literary residencies from all over Europe – from Ventspils (Latvia) in the North to Tirana (Albania) in the South. Our partners and associates include:
Watch the official video about the Translation in Motion project:
The Translation in Motion project (1/2/21-31/8/23) is co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union and by the National Culture Fund Bulgaria.
