DESCRIPTION OF THE CENTRE

The centre welcomes translators of literature and literary non-fiction. It has five studios, each with a private bathroom. All studios are equipped with on-line computers and telephones. On the ground floor is a library with an extensive collection of Dutch-language literature (about 1500 titles), dictionaries and other reference works (also on cd-rom).

On the first floor is a large communal kitchen with a conservatory and a spacious terrace. The basement floor is provided with a washing machine, a tumble dryer and an ironing board.

Translators receive a travel and working grant of € 1000 per month. The minimum stay is 2 weeks, the maximum stay 2 months. The accommodation is free of charges, except for a contribution of € 115 per month for gas, electricity and household goods, which is deducted from the travel and working grant.

ACTIVITIES

The centre organizes 3 or 4 translation workshops per year, both in the Netherlands and abroad, for translators of Dutch-language literature. Also it organizes the Literary Translation Days, an annual event for some 200 translators into and out of Dutch. Translators in residence can ask for professional assistance the whole year round.

COOPERATION WITH OTHER INSTITUTIONS

The centre cooperates with the Dutch and Flemish Foundations for Literature in Amsterdam and Antwerp and with the Support Network for the Training of Literary Translators in Utrecht, the Netherlands.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Translators who want to stay in the Translators’ House must have a contract with a foreign publisher for the translation of a work of Dutch-language fiction or literary non-fiction. In order to qualify for a stay they have to fill in an application form and to send a copy of the translation contract(s).

LEGAL STATUS

Foundation

DATE OF CREATION

The Vertalershuis / Translators’ House was founded in 1991 by the VvL, the Dutch writers’ and translators’ association. Since 1996 the centre has been an integral part of and financed by the Dutch Foundation for Literature (formerly: the Production and Translation of Dutch Literature). The staff consists of a director, a secretary and a janitor, all working part-time.

STAFF

Managing-Director/Directrice: Marije de Bie
Assistant/Assistente direction: Machteld de Vries
Accountant/Comptable: Onno de Graaff
Warden/Concierge: Henk Ibelings

ADDRESS & CONTACT

Van Breestraat 19
NL 1071 ZE AMSTERDAM

Tel.: +31 20 470 97 40
Fax: +31 20 470 97 41

E-mail: vertalershuis@letterenfonds.nl
Website: www.vertalershuis.nl