EÜK : Straelen

Press Release

The Europäisches Übersetzer-Kollegium Turned Thirty


On 10 January 2008, the Europäisches Übersetzer-Kollegium turned thirty years old.  

When it was founded in 1978, this centre for literary translators was the worldwide first and only centre of its kind. It was created thanks to the initiative and persistence of its two founding fathers Elmar Tophoven and Klaus Birkenhauer and under the patronage of Heinrich Böll, Samuel Beckett and Mario Wandruska. 

Due to the continuing support from the Land North Rhine-Westphalia, the Europäisches Übersetzer-Kollegium was able to expand and consolidate its activities over the decades, serving as a role model for subsequent translator colleges in all of Europe. Its excellent infrastructure and comprehensive library continue to make the Europäisches Übersetzer-Kollegium in Straelen the worldwide largest and most renowned service centre for literary translators. 

Seven hundred guests from all around the world come to Straelen annually to work on their translations of books. Meanwhile more than 19,000 works have been translated from more than one hundred languages.

In 2001, following a particularly intense collaboration with the Foundation for Art and Culture NRW, the Translator Prize of the Foundation for Art and Culture NRW, endowed with € 25,000, was established. Meanwhile it is being awarded in Straelen annually.
 

During the more than thirty years of its existence, the Europäisches Übersetzer-Kollegium was able to provide thousands of translators a temporary home in Straelen, in the Lower Rhine region, and to continually initiate and carry out new projects.

Since 2007, "Atrium Talks in Straelen" have been held at the Europäisches Übersetzer-Kollegium. A renowned German author spends several days in Straelen working with his foreign translators on his current book in order to discuss and resolve all problems that arise during translation.Within the framework of the project "Translator in Residence", the Kollegium has worked successfully with schools and teachers to give students some insight into the practical sides of the art of translation. EÜK, 9 January 2008 

FURTHER INFORMATION
The EÜK's 30th Birthday
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