Euskadi and Quebec strengthen ties through literature at the 83rd Madrid Book Fair

The 83rd Madrid Book Fair runs from 31 May to 16 June. Imanol Otaegi, Cultural Director of the Etxepare Basque Institute, took part in a meeting with representatives from the Quebec book sector, within the framework of the Madrid-based event.

The purpose of this working session was to foster connections between stakeholders in the literature sector in Quebec and the Basque Country, with a goal of enhancing collaboration opportunities in Basque and French language literature in both regions. The project falls within the framework of Saison Québec - Pays basque (#QcPaysBasque).

Translations serve as a bridge for the global exposure of Basque literary works, and one of the funding focuses of the Etxepare Basque Institute is specifically aimed at encouraging the translation of Basque literature into various languages. Imanol Otaegi highlighted that "just 6% of Basque literary pieces are translated into French. This falls short of our ambitions."

In this meeting, the participants included Imanol Otaegi; Eneko Bidegain, a Basque author known for works such as ´Bichta éder´ (2023, Elkar); Maël Solen Picard, Director of the Quebec Office in Barcelona; Louis Thibaut, Advisor on International Affairs and Export at the Ministry of Culture and Communications of Quebec; Adèle Samjee, Cultural Affairs Attaché for the Quebec Office in Barcelona; Arnaud Fulon, representing the National Association of Book Publishers of Quebec (Éditions Hurtubise, Éditions Marcel Didier, Éditions XYZ, and Éditions MultiMondes); and Antoine Tanguy, in charge of international editions and coordinator of French editions at Perendale Publishers Limited.

Imanol Otaegi and presented an overview of the Basque literature sector, alongside Basque writer Eneko Bidegain, and explained the Basque. Books. strategy and the translation grants offered by the Etxepare Basque Institute. The representatives of the Quebec sector also gave a similar presentation of the literature industry in their region. During the meeting, the participants talked about potential collaboration opportunities that could benefit both parties in the future.

Quebecois and Basque literature at the Madrid Book Fair

The Quebec literature sector delegation has released a guide featuring works currently available by Quebeckers published in Iberian Peninsula languages. These works, also offered in Basque, have been translated by Aiora Jaka in collaboration with the Etxepare Basque Institute. During the fair, readers will be able to discover Quebec literature translated into mainland languages at Quebec´s stand, located on the fair’s central avenue.

The Madrid Book Fair 2024 will once again feature Basque representation. Basque publishers Astiberri (with 324 stands) and Consonni (331 stands), will also take part in various activities scheduled during the event.

Basque Window at the ‘Perpetuum mobile’ exhibit in Madrid (PhotoEspaña)

In addition to participating in the meeting with Quebec, Otaegi and Jokin Labayen, cultural technician at the Etxepare Basque Institute, were able to visit the recently inaugurated exhibition ´Perpetuum mobile´ at the PhotoEspaña festival, which features a Basque Window comprising works by six Basque photographers.