Open call: Etxepare – LABORAL Kutxa Translation Award 2026

The call for entries for the twelfth edition of the Translation Award, organised annually by the Etxepare Basque Institute and LABORAL Kutxa, is now open. The award aims to recognise the work of translators and publishers who help bring Basque-language literature to new readers and expand its presence across other languages, publishing markets and cultural contexts, highlighting their contribution to the international circulation of Basque literature.

This call for entries is intended to recognise a literary work originally written in Euskara and published in 2025; entries will be accepted from 12 June to 10 July.

This year brings several updates, including an increase in prize money to €6,000 (up from €4,000 in the previous edition). The award will be shared equally between the translator and the publisher.

This year’s edition is expanding its reach with a larger budget for international promotion, increasing from €2,000 to €3,000. This additional funding will cover attendance at the award ceremony and support new initiatives to promote the winning work in the country of publication.

Similarly, works whose translation has been funded through the AT! Itzulpena: Literatura grant scheme run by the Etxepare Basque Institute will automatically be considered for the award, provided they meet the requirements set out in the eligibility criteria.

Last year, the award went to ‘Glosak/Glosar el mundo’ by Tere Irastortza, translated into Catalan by Manel Rodríguez-Castelló. The Catalan translation was published by Ediciones Contrabando in Valencia under the title ‘Glossak·Glossar el món’. The jury praised Manel Rodríguez-Castelló’s translation as outstanding, linguistically flawless, effortlessly readable, and faithfully capturing the style of the original text.

The Etxepare – LABORAL Kutxa Translation Award was created in 2015 to recognise the translation of literary works originally written and published in Euskara. Translation is the bridge that enables Basque writers and their work to reach an international audience. The awards aim to shine a light on the often overlooked work of the translator.