Literature Across Frontiers (LAF) is a European platform for literary exchange, translation and policy debate
The aim of Literature Across Frontiers is to advance European cultural exchange in the field of literature and translation through multilateral cooperation encompassing policy research and analysis, publications, translator training and skills development, joint participation in international book fairs, literature festivals and other forums, organisation of larger-scale projects, as well as conferences, seminars and workshops, and to:
- foster intercultural dialogue through literature and translation within the EU and beyond, and in particular with EU neighbours in the Mediterranean region;
- improve access to lesser known literatures, particularly those written in the less widely used languages of Europe and underrepresented in the international arena;
- encourage greater diversity in international literary events and in the publishing of literature for all age groups;
- develop innovative approaches to literary creation, promotion, support for translation and training of literary translators working in less widely used languages;
- act as a catalyst for new multilateral contacts, collaborations and innovative projects bringing literature into interaction with other art forms and exploring the social and political role of writing;
- stimulate debate on relevant policy and financing at national and European level;
- create opportunities for the exchange of ideas, transfer of skills and knowledge, and sharing of experiences and resources amongst organisations and institutions active in this field.
Literature Across Frontiers is is supported by t he Culture Programme of the European Union and is based at the Mercator Institute for Media, Languages and Culture, Aberystwyth University, a European research and documentation institution which runs projects in the fields of European minority and regional languages and the media, languages and the Internet, and translation and publishing of literature written in the less widely-used European languages.
Research into literature in translation in Europe – publishing, policies, funding
As part of our mission, LAF is active in the field of research into the publishing of literature in translation across Europe and related EU and national policies, financing and best practices. Our on-going contact with organizations promoting their national literatures, fostering literary exchange and supporting translation puts us in a unique position from which we can maintain an overview of the field of literary translation. We are regularly invited to speak on the subject at various international gatherings and organize related events, from panel debates to seminars and conferences. For more information on our events, go to the Events Page on our main website.
LAF is a member of several key networks, such as the advocacy organization Culture Action Europe, the Anna Lindh Foundation Network. In 2009 – 2011 LAF was represented on the Translation Working Group of the Civil Society Platform on Multilingualism which has prepared the Policy Paper on Multilingualism in Europe for the European Commission and developed the Poliglotti 4 EU virtual platform for multilingualism in Europe.
Contact information
Literature Across Frontiers
Mercator Institute for Media, Languages and Culture
Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies
Aberystwyth University
Aberystwyth
SY23 1NN
Wales / Cymru
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1970 622 241
Fax: +44 (0)1970 621 524
Our main website is www.lit-across-frontiers.org
Email: info@lit-across-frontiers.org
