The Association of Hungarian Literary Translators (MEGY (http://www NULL.muforditok NULL.hu/)) held its third annual Literary Translators’ Vocational Weekend between May 11th and 13th 2012, in picturesque Dobogókő, near Budapest. The get-together featured translators’ presentations and workshops, debate, music and leisure for all attendees.

Professional literary translators, ambitious university students, laymen with an interest in the trade, and professionals from related fields as well as featured presenters, a total of one hundred participants gathered together for the third MEGY vocational weekend.

The aim and point of this conference is for professionals and enthusiasts to meet personally; to create a space for working translators who wish to share their experiences and introduce themselves; and also for novice literary translators to have a „first shot” by trying themselves and getting feedback, answers and support. From Friday afternoon to Sunday morning, the vocational programme featured workshops and presentations dealing with the technical, aesthetic and philosophical aspects of literary translation, along with a professional debate focusing on the working relationship between translator and editor.

The conference was sponsored by MASZRE Reprographic Society of the Hungarian Scientific and Literary Writers and Publishers and the NKA National Cultural Fund of Hungary. Participation fees were kept fairly low, with a special discount for members of the MEGY Association, students, unemployed persons and pensioners. This is how MEGY ensures that its vocational weekend, rather than putting an unwelcome financial burden on precarious or novice literary translators, continues to provide a real opportunity for professional exchange.