In Transitum, Profile

[background] [goal of the programme] [target group] [offer] [criteria] [application procedure] [deadlines] [contact details]

Background

In Transitum was set up by the European Cultural Foundation, KulturKontakt Austria and the Fund for Central and East European Book Projects, in co-operation with Pro Helvetia. These organizations, which are all active in the field of culture in South Eastern Europe, combined their forces to stimulate literary exchange in the Balkans.

Goal of the Programme

To increase the quality and quantity of literary translations between the languages of the Balkan region. Literature offers creative and inspiring ways not only to exchange ideas but also to confront cultures, fight prejudice and mistrust, muse on history and future and stimulate literary dialogue, which is the aim of the project.

Target group

Translators working both into and from the languages of the following countries: Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Macedonia, Romania, Slovenia, Turkey, and Yugoslavia.

Offer

Translators are offered a stay for a period of between 2 weeks and 1 month in the country of the language they translate. During that time they can focus on the following activities:

working on the translation
doing research in libraries and institutes
meeting the author
exploring the literary scene in the country
participating in workshops

The translator will be offered a room/apartment to live in and will receive a daily allowance. Travel costs (max. USD 300) and the costs of the purchase of documentation, like dictionaries, (max. USD 75) will be covered as well. After the stay, the translator must send a narrative report of his/her activities and copies of bills and invoices of the expenditures.

Criteria

The translator must have signed a contract with a professional publisher concerning the translation of a specific title or article of good quality. Translators who have not yet signed a contract with a professional publisher will be able to apply for one study visit. As a general rule, grants will NOT be awarded for translations of:

Books and journals of a highly specialized nature.
Books and journals in the field of health, medicine, pure or applied science, ecology, business, children’s books, text books, and works of a religious or party political nature.
Books and journals dating from before the 20th century.

Application procedure

Those wishing to apply for a grant should send a proposal, including a C.V., background information on the book or journal, a contract with the publishing house and a detailed plan of activities. In the case of an application for a study visit, the proposal should include a C.V. and a detailed plan of activities during the stay. If the proposal is considered eligible for support, an application form will be sent. The grants are awarded by the Executive Board of In Transitum, consisting of representatives from all partner organizations. All decisions are made on the basis of careful consideration and expert advice of external, independent advisors. The deliberations of In Transitum are confidential. The Board is not required to justify its decisions. Once rejected, a project will not be reconsidered by the Board.

Grant application deadlines

1 February (for visits from April to September) and

1 August (for visits from October to March)

Contact Details

In Transitum
Jan van Goyenkade 5
1075 HN Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Tel.: 31 20 6760222, fax: 31 20 6752231
e-mail: intransitum@intransitum.org
http://www.intransitum.org

In Transitum was set up by the European Cultural Foundation, KulturKontakt Austria and the Fund for Central and East European Book Projects, in co-operation with Pro Helvetia.