Support

Translation support

The contribution to translation costs aims to pay for the growth and distribution of Luxembourg’s literary heritage by supporting foreign publishers and foreign professional theatrical structures (venues, producers) in the translation of Luxembourg literature.

Eligibility

This support is intended for :

  • Foreign Professional publishers (commercial companies or non-profit)
    The contribution to translation costs is aimed at translation projects into foreign languages of a literary work already published by a Luxembourgish author or an author residing in Luxembourg.
  • To foreign professional theatrical entities (venues, producers) for the translation of a dramatic text with the intention of its presentation as a reading and/or performance to an audience outside Luxembourg.

All foreign languages are eligible, provided there is a sufficiently large readership in the target language and a distribution of the translated text.

The eligible literary genres are:

  • Literary anthology;
  • Biography;
  • Comics and graphic novels;
  • Drama;
  • Literary essay;
  • Children’s and youth literature;
  • Poetry;

Priority is given to contemporary literature published within the last 15 years by living authors.

Exclusion and restrictions

The financial support is not intended for:

  • Individuals;
  • Municipalities and associations of municipalities;
  • Schools;
  • Charities.

Kultur | lx’s contribution to publishing costs shall not be granted for the following publishing projects:

  • Intended to raise funds for charity;
  • Self-published or self-financed;

The translation support cannot be combined with the publishing support. Project holder may not submit more than 4 applications per year.

 

Targeted sectors

Literature and publishing

Decision process

Applications are assessed by the Literature and Publishing Selection committee.

Applications for funding shall be submitted electronically via the Kultur | lx – Arts Council Luxembourg platform no later than two months before the start of the project and by the deadline for project proposals.

The submission deadlines for projects in 2024 are as follows:

  • February 15, 2024
  • June 27, 2024
  • December 5, 2024
Criteria
  • Cultural added value, i.e. positive impact for the author and/or publisher;
  • Economic and business viability of the publishing project, i.e. whether the professional quality of the distribution of the published work is guaranteed (selling price, target audience, editorial situation in the publisher’s country, distribution network, promotional campaigns, literary editorial programme of the publishing house);
  • Providing evidence of at least one public performance abroad of the translated play in the case of an application from a foreign theatre company;
  • Literary quality of the work to be translated, evidenced by critical and public reception, and potentially by literary prizes and other recognitions;
  • Professional experience of the translator, assessed on the basis of his/her curriculum vitae and publications, which will provide information on his/her experience, the genres and authors previously translated, the reputation of the authors and publishing houses, as well as relations with cultural figures or institutions.
Eligible expenses and amount of the grant

The support takes the form of full or partial reimbursement of the costs for translating a book.
Only costs that have been agreed in writing by Kultur | lx shall be reimbursed.

Total financial support is calculated in accordance with eligible costs using criteria laid down in the critera article and the Kultur | lx – Arts Council Luxembourg Guidelines (Our guidelines) within the limits of available funds.

Terms of payment

Payment of the support shall be made:

  • Upon receipt of 5 copies of the subsidised translation after publication, together with an invoice for the translation, made out to Kultur | lx (5-7, rue de l’Alzette, L-4011 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg), signed by the publisher and countersigned by the translator;
  • For online editions: proof of publication and distribution of the work on the online platform;
  • In the case of a translation of a dramatic text for public performance: proof of the public event (online and/or printed programme) and a PDF of the translation;
  • After checking the note indicating that Kultur | lx supports the publication.

The financial support granted by Kultur | lx shall be void if the project for which the support was granted is not completed within the period set by the institution at the time the support was granted. The same applies if one of the terms for granting the support is no longer met or if the support was granted on the basis of incorrect or incomplete facts.

The invalidity of the granted financial support shall make Kultur | lx entitled to receive the refund of the payment(s) already made. On an exceptional basis, the institution may waive the refund upon notification of a specially reasoned written request setting out the reasons beyond the control of the support beneficiary for the failure to carry out the project and their direct causal link with it.

Required documentations
  • The publishing house’s catalogue of publications;
  • A detailed provisional budget for the translation project, indicating the translation price per word and the number of words of the work to be translated;
  • A copy of the signed agreement between the publisher and the translator;
  • A copy of the signed agreement by the translation rights holder;
  • A copy of the signed agreement by the author allowing the translation of his/her work;
  • A curriculum vitae and a list of publications of the translator and, if applicable, of the reviser of the translation;
  • A scanned copy of the cover of the original edition;
  • A copy of the letters of engagement from the theatres and/or festivals inviting the show whose text is the subject of the translation.

The form may be completed in French or in English.

Only complete applications submitted by the deadline shall be processed. The absence of any supporting document in the applicant’s submission must be duly justified.

Obligations of the applicant

Once the support has been awarded, the applicant shall respect several conditions:

  • Mention “With the support of Kultur | lx – Arts Council Luxembourg” in the publication and copy the logo;
  • Inform Kultur | lx of any major changes in their situation (address, mandate, legal and administrative entity, etc.);
  • Provide Kultur | lx with any information or documents deemed necessary for the processing and follow-up of the file (change of publication date, cancellation of the project, etc.)
Mention of Kultur | lx

The beneficiary of the support must include the Kultur | lx logo on its communication materials, with the statement “With the support of Kultur | lx – Arts Council Luxembourg”.