Start: 2019
End: 2020
Partner: V.B.Z. DRUSTVO S OGRANICENOM ODGOVORNOSCU ZA TRGOVINU I NAKLADNICKU DJELATNOST, UVOZ-IZVOZ (Croatia) Publisher
Action: Creative Europe Literary translation projects
Summary:
“On the Margins: Underrepresent Voices, Genres and Experiences in European Literatures” is a long-term strategy for translation, promotion and distribution of 30 high-quality literary works written in large part in lesser used languages and in underrepresented genres. The project is divided into three sections, each covering one year of the project: the 1st year – Immigrant or “Outsiders’” Voices, the 2nd year: Women’s Voices, and the 3rd year: Minority Report (voices of sexual, age, religious and disabled minorities). This unique series is created to reflect cultural diversity of Europe and to promote Croatian literature as it includes translations of awarded Croatian novels into wider used languages. With this project we also want to create a platform for different voices and stories of marginalized groups and minorities to be heard by diverse audiences. In the 1st year of the project we will publish 10 European literary works of different genres (4 novels, 2 graphic novels, 2 collections of poetry and 2 children’s books) talking about different immigrant experiences: current migration crisis (British novel – the Middle East migrants, Dutch novel – African migrants), economic emigrants from Europe (Greek novel), postcolonial immigrants (a Caribbean in the UK), political exile (Moroccan poet’s exile to France). Children’s books are included as the project accentuates the importance of learning to appreciate differences & facing the fear of unknown from young age. Croatian novel will be translated into English and we hope successfully “cross the border” and find its place in Europe. All works will be promoted at the literary festival “Vrisak” (The Scream) and most authors invited to Croatia. We believe our project whose motto is “recognize yourself in he and she who are not like you and me” (C. Fuentes) can make the difference: raise awareness for immigrants’ and other minority groups’ problems and make them more visible and better accepted in Croatian society.