Reading the Heart of Europe

Project area
Books and Reading / Literary Translation 
Producer
Beletrina Publishing Institute (lead) 
Call
Creative Europe (2014 -2020) - Culture / Literary translation 2019
EU funding
97.531,65 EUR (2. leto - FPA II/3)
Year
2019 

Project duration: 1. 1. 2020–31. 12. 2020 (2nd year)
EU support: Category 2 – Framework Partnership Agreement (FPA): 95.781,02 EUR (1st year); 97.531,65 EUR (2nd year); 99.989,79 EUR (3rd year)

30 literary high quality works translated from diverse European languages write about personal challenges in an increasing troubled world, subjected to profound transformations, trying to find the core common values, ideas and meanings – looking for the “heart” of Europe, seeing it differently. “But the eyes are blind.” Said Saint-Exupery’s Little Prince, “One must look with the heart.”

List of works:
– Selma Lagerlöf: Kejsarn av Portugallien. Translation from Swedish: Mita Gustinčič Pahor.
– Jonathan Swift: Gulliver’s Travels. Translation from English: Andrej E. Skubic.
– Thomas Mann: Bekenntnisse des Hochstaplers Felix Krull. Translation from German: Mojca Kranjc.
– Sara Stridsberg: Beckomberga-ode till min familj. Translation from Swedish: Iva Klemenčič.
– Emanuele Trevi: Qualcosa di scritto. Translation from Italian: Vera Troha.
– László Krasznohorkai: Megy a világ. Translation from Hungarian: Marjanca Mihečlič.
– Patrizia Cavalli: Diese schönen Tage, ausgewählte Gedichte 1974–2006; Zweisprachige Ausgabe. Translation from Italian: Miljana Cunta.
– John Burnside: Selected Poems. Translation from English: Jernej Županič.
– Katja Perat: Mazohistka. Translation from Slovene into English: Biggins Michael.
– Goran Vojnović: Figa. Translation from Slovene into English: Hellewell Olivia Frances.

The richness and diversity of the European literary landscape in the works could hardly be bigger, including genres – from poetry, short stories, and novels to books for younger readers. Younger authors (Oksanen, Vojnović, Szvoren etc.) highlight their outstanding emerging literary talent with excellent potential to expand access for general public. These authors are part of cultural, ethnic and religious diversity of contemporary Europe in the “age of migration and globalization”. They encourage a healthy cool-headed debate about European collective project of mutually shared values by stressing pluralism, which is a great potential for cultural export worldwide. Reading of classic masterpieces (Andrić, Celan) contributes to learning of the importance of (re)reading history: our troubled past has given way to peace and the sacrifice of previous generations should never be forgotten. The high literary value of works is reflected in their depth, complexity and unique quality. Human experiences are represented in a skilful way that masterly engages the reader.

Our powerful and innovative strategy of promotion will convey the core of European heart: diversity of cultures, the feeling of belonging, love and compassion, solidarity, enthusiasm and courage that can contribute to greater awareness of European connectedness. In order to make our literary translations accessible and attractive for young readers, we developed an innovative smart distributional and promotional strategy, addressing attachment to literature (I love literature), thus opening a panoramic view, deep and wide. (Source: EAC.)

The list of supported books for the first year.

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