Etxepare Basque Institute named member of ENLIT network for literary translation

During the European Network for Literary Translation (ENLIT) annual board meeting on October 17 at the Frankfurt Book Fair, the Etxepare Basque Institute was officially admitted as a new member of the network.

ENLIT is an international non-profit network whose members undertake translation support programmes to increase the visibility of literary systems both internationally and in their respective countries or regions. Its members strive for a dynamic, diverse and easily accessible literary landscape across Europe and beyond, with a focus on the entire value chain: book translators, writers, publishers, booksellers and readers. To achieve its goal ENLIT promotes the exchange of information among its members, allocates resources to research and data collection, and sets up collaboration projects, among other actions.

As a new member of the network, the Etxepare Basque Institute will have the opportunity to promote Basque publishing within the literary systems of the different countries, organisations and language communities represented in Europe. It will also facilitate the presentation of programmes promoting Basque literary translation at this international forum and provide firsthand insight into the translation initiatives developed by other cultural organisations. ENLIT will offer the Etxepare Basque Institute a platform for collaborative discussion on the current challenges faced by the book sector, writers and translators, and for addressing them through good practices.

Frankfurt, showcase for Basque literature

The Frankfurt Book Fair is the world´s leading literary event. This year´s edition brought together 7,200 exhibitors and drew around 270,000 visitors. Basque literature also had a dedicated space at the fair under the ‘Basque. Books.’ brand, featuring the Basque publishers’ guild (Euskadiko Editoreen Elkartea), the Basque writers association (Euskal Editoreen Elkartea), the association of Basque language publishers (Euskadiko Idazleen Elkartea), the association of Basque illustrators (Euskal Ilustratzaileak), and the Etxepare Basque Institute. In terms of programming, Higinia Garay and Asier Iturralde, both illustrators, took part in the fair and led a seminar on Basque comics entitled ‘Comics in the Basque Country, Stories from Near and Far’. The Arabic translation of the novel ‘Amek ez dute’ (Mothers Don´t) by Basque author Katixa Agirre, published with support from the Etxepare Basque Institute, was also presented at the fair.