The language of Europe is translation – Umberto Eco (1993)
Igiaba Scego´s Beyond Babylon and Walid Nabhan´s Exodus of Storks would have remained closed to those of us unable to read Italian or Maltese, had these remarkable works not been translated into other languages. Whether it comes to contemporary works or the classics, translations are a main conduit for the exchange of ideas, world-views, and traditions. Given the diversity of languages on the European continent, translation is invaluable for fostering dialogue and mutual understanding across linguistic and national borders. In the eurolit project, we investigate how European integration shapes the processes and networks that enable books to circulate beyond their place and language of origin.
