HISTORY
Straelen was founded in 1978 by Elmar Tophoven and Dr. Klaus Birkenhauer as the first literary translators’ college worldwide and has been devoted to promoting the professional quality of literary translation ever since.
DESCRIPTION
Working centre for literary translators only, consisting of six little houses clustered around a roof-lit library, amidst a flat agricultural area close to the Dutch border. Great for cyclists; numerous pubs and some restaurants, but no major distractions – Straelen is meant for serious work and nothing but.
COST OF RESIDENCY / BURSARIES
None for translators receiving no scholarship or bursary (except a small weekly contribution for general costs)
Inquire about bursaries available for 3 to 12 weeks. Some bursaries include additional money for living expenses and part of travel costs.
ACTIVITIES
No language teaching, no study curriculum. Workshops and seminars for small special interest groups of professional translators.
COOPERATION WITH OTHER INSTITUTIONS
Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf; German Translation Fund; Kunststiftung NRW;
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
We receive more than 750 translators from over 55 countries per year, mostly staying for not less than one week and not more than three months.
Admission depends upon places available and the merit of your translation project. We accept all language combinations. House guests should however have some knowledge of German or at least English to get along on their own.
Application: No forms to be filled out. Just give a brief description of your translation project, submit a copy of your publishing contract as well as a list of published translations and indicate how long you would like to stay, indicating alternative dates.
SHORT NAME
Europäisches Übersetzer-Kollegium (European Translators’ College)
Website: www.euk-straelen.de
LEGAL STRUCTURE
Private non-profit association.
FINANCIAL SOURCES
The centre is supported by grants awarded by the Ministry of Culture of the Land of North Rhine-Westfalia, the town of Straelen and various other institutions.
STAFF
President: Claus Sprick
Vice President: Dr. Renate Birkenhauer
Manager: Dr. Regina Peeters
Project manager: Mariana Wenke
Financial manager: Linda Kamps, Philipp Laumann
General administration: Philipp Laumann
Translator in Residence (changing every 3 months)
2 half-time secretaries
NUMBER OF ROOMS
16 apartments with private shower and WC.
13 rooms with private washbasin only.
WHEN OPEN
Open all year round.
LIBRARY
125.000 volumes, comprising 35.000 dictionaries and reference works in more than 275 languages, accessible to house guests day and night all year. Electronic catalogue. Vast selection of dictionaries and literature on cd-rom.
FACILITIES
Photocopier / All studio apartments are fitted out with PCs. They allow access to the internet 24 hours a day
Scanner, several laser printers
COMMON FACILITIES
2 fully equipped kitchens ; Dining room seating 20 ; Seminar room seating 16.
OTHER REMARKS
Spouses, children and animals not admitted.
