Facing Uncertainties: Overcoming Crisis in Contemporary European Literature

ongoing

Our project is designed as cultural response to the crisis (economic, humanitarian, social) caused by the consequences of the covid-19 pandemic, by the recent economic turmoil as well as by the war in Ukraine. With the translation of 14 books by important European authors who have never or rarely been translated into Macedonian before, the project aims to increase the circulation of high-quality, award-winning European literature as well as to strengthen the book sector and help its recovery. The project is focused on languages that are rarely translated into Macedonian, as well as on national European literatures with a limited geo-linguistic potential, whereby the project provides added European value. It also spotlights underrepresented genres, especially illustrated books for children and young adults, graphic novels, but also short story collections and poetry. The proposed works are complex, aesthetically sound and creative in their approach to the subject matter, diverse and original in terms of style, aesthetic model and poetics, but connected through the shared theme of hope in a time of crisis as the universal driving force of the human experience as well as through the profound humanism pervading all of them. The project is creative and innovative in terms of the business models and in terms of the promotional activities, particularly the activities conducted online, but also the event-based promotion which will ensure highest visibility of the translated works, of the authors and translators and of the EU support. The distribution strategy will ensure maximum visibility of and easy access to the books. Our detailed strategy for realising the project, the highly experienced translators, our dedicated team and the range of activities comprising the project, confirm Artkontekt’s striving to endorse the principles of the Creative Europe programme, to expand our readers’ cultural horizons and to promote European cultural values and achievements in our country