Literature Across Frontiers (LAF), the European Platform for Literary Exchange, Translation and Policy Debate, was established in 2001 with support from the European Union. We are based in Wales, United Kingdom, at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, at the Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies in a building adjacent to the National Library of Wales. We work in partnership with a range of organisations and individuals across Europe and beyond to foster literary diversity and develop intercultural dialogue through literature and translation by highlighting less translated literatures, connecting literary scenes and creating opportunities for exchanges and collaborations.
We develop short and longer-term projects; organise events, seminars and workshops; conduct research; contribute to strategic policy debates and provide online resources and information on the international literary sector. This arrangement allows us to be flexible and respond to opportunities in a way traditional organisational structures might not be able to. It also introduces a form of non-hierarchical, democratic governance which encourages an active involvement in all stages of planning, implementation and evaluation of projects, with input from a variety of sources.
At home, where we are based at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, we work closely with our sister organisation Wales Literature Exchange, as well as Wales PEN Cymru and many other partners. Following Brexit, we have established Culture Reset, a new organisation based in the EU.
Photo: This iconic photograph of a colourful Balkans train was taken by the Welsh author Owen Martell during the legendary project Word Express.