Romana Cacchioli (PEN) and Lara Hölbling Matkovič (CEATL)
CEATL (the European Council of Literary Translators’ Associations) and TLRC-PEN (PEN International (https://www NULL.pen-international NULL.org/)’s Translation and Linguistic Rights Committee) will work closer together to improve working conditions for literary translators following their signing of a memorandum of understanding on 17th May 2023 in Ljubljana. The joint document was signed by Romana Cacchioli, the Executive Director of PEN International, and CEATL’s Secretary General Lara Hölbling-Matković.
TLRC-PEN and CEATL share common objectives in the area of literary translation, including encouraging the practice of literary translation from and into all European languages, and providing a platform for the exchange of information related to the personal and professional status of literary translators based in Europe.
For that purpose, TLRC-PEN and CEATL will exchange newsletters, publications and social media messages, inform each other of congresses and other events related to their fields of interest, promote translation programmes, grants, residencies and prizes associated with PEN and CEATL among their membership, and distribute information regarding relevant events. Furthermore, both parties will work together to improve conditions for literary translators through non-commercial negotiation and campaigns.
PEN International is a non-political organisation which holds Special Consultative Status at the UN and Associate Status at UNESCO. PEN International was founded in 1921 and is based in London. PEN operates on five continents through its centres in over 100 countries.
TLRC-PEN promotes the rights of all languages to be written, read, and heard, whether they are spoken by millions of people or just a few. Through projects, events, publications and campaigns, the Committee encourages readers and writers to explore literature from cultures other than their own.
CEATL is an international non-profit association (AISBL) under Belgian law, officially created in 1993 as a platform where literary translators’ associations from different European countries could exchange views and information, and join forces to improve the status and working conditions of literary translators. CEATL has 32 member associations from 26 countries across Europe, representing some 10,000 individual translators.