No Person Is An Island

ongoing

No person is an island is an educational literary translation project involving 5 publishers (SRB, SLO, GER, CRO, MKD) that focuses on presenting relevant issues of contemporary society to its most sensitive and important group – youth. Chosen books deal with one of the most concerning issue of modern age, especially noticeable after pandemic: social distancing which leads to isolation and loneliness. Books which teach about the importance and benefits of the community are divided in 3 age groups (preschool, middle grade and YA) and 4 sub-categories, each emphasizing particular benefit of community: support and safety; connection and belonging; positive influence; acceptance. Project targets Generation Z, the loneliest generation so far according to studies, most prone to switching in-person interaction with online communication. Social distancing can lead to feeling left out, isolation and severe depression and other mental health problems, all of which are alarmingly increasing in young generations. Project includes 16 works of fiction and focuses on small languages and literature underrepresented in Serbia, and contributes to transnational circulation and translating works from lesser used languages (Serbian, Croatian, Slovene and Macedonian) into German and Spanish. Books will be published with highest quality of translation and production and disseminated through regular and online bookstores, book fairs and exhibitions across ex-YU countries and Germany and Spanish speaking regions, using innovative sale methods, and promoted via two main strategies: direct marketing, online and social media to reach primary public (youth) and traditional media to reach secondary public: influential adults. Project is expected to be successful in several aspects: education on the current social issues; raising profiles of translators, EU writers and less known cultures; developing new skills and teaching young readers that literature can be both enjoyable and educational.