Making Literature Travel

Book Department, Ministry of Culture, Bulgaria – provides translation grants for Bulgarian publishers and travel costs for Bulgarian writers.

Bulgaria does not have a body dedicated to the promotion of Bulgarian literature abroad, but since 2005 translation grants have been available from the Euro-Bulgarian Cultural Centre, an ‘arms-length’, non-profit organisation established in 1999 with support from the European Union Phare Programme and under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria. The principal objective of the Euro-Bulgarian Cultural Centre is to support the development of cultural life in Bulgaria through links with European bodies, values and models. The grants cover the translator(s)’ fees provided these do not exceed 80% of the total costs of the operation.

The Book Department of the Ministry of Culture also provides grants but only Bulgarian-registered organisations may apply. The Ministry occasionally funds Bulgarian authors travel abroad on an ad-hoc basis in response to invitations. There are no stated guidelines or application procedures. http://mc.government.bg/index.php?l=2