The literature will propose several activities for three days, from 31 May to 2 June. The main course of the Sunday menu, for example, will be offered around the table from 11 a.m. Under the title The challenges of translation in Basque today, the talk will discuss how to respond to the needs of the Basque literature. When choosing the participants, they have taken into account the editorials that have been created in recent years, as explained by Danele Sarriugarte, “because they are based on a new model for us, and have focused especially on translation”. So, the translator Iñigo Roque, Edo! On behalf of the editorial board, Joxemari Sestorain, a member of Cents Denonartean, and a member of EIZIE, will sit at the table.
Danele Sarriugarte will propose several lines of action at the round table. First of all, you will be interested in the evolution and opinion of the three institutions that have decidedly committed themselves to translation. As a second point, they will refer to publishers who, on the other hand, do not take into account the translation to support
literary production vasca.Tambi also address prejudices about translation. Among other things, he is accused of having translated only literary worship into Basque for years. Therefore, the program will ask whether the solution is to reach best-sellers, whether the return issue is a problem or whether there are other factors. Finally, there will be talk about the serious economic situation and about the social networks that are taking place.
In view of the interest in the conversation, we asked Danele Sarriugarte:

You are also a translator and writer. What action do you think the translation should take in Basque literary production?

It is necessary and enriching to reasonably combine the two types of creation, the literature written in Basque and the literature translated into Basque. I would not be able to measure exactly in proportion, but I believe that the current situation on the part of production itself is rather good, one of the best we have had so far. In any case, more than in number, I believe that change has to be in the attitude of translation, that is, I see increasingly diffuse the boundary between creating and translating, to what extent it is not a work translated into Basque...

It gives great importance to social networks, you manage the blog eleazari.org. What importance does it attach to the diffusion molds in relation to the reflections it has put forward at the round table?

In recent decades, great advances have been made in the quality and spectacularity of Basque translation thanks to the work of many people. I do not believe that anyone denies this improvement. However, the studies that have been conducted show that there are still limitations, that there are obstacles, prejudices and other issues to come to the poublico.Quiero to put
a question to the table about whether social networks and the media can help break that barrier. For example, EIZIE has just launched a 31-handed blog and is reaping great success. I want to talk about the possibilities of continuing to work on this road.

What time do you think you will leave at the Literature Round Table?

It seems that at this time it is forbidden to say so, but I believe that positive consequences will be drawn, that is, that the translation has to continue to make its way, and for that there are active people. We have already left behind some obstacles. Now is the time to respond to others. The time is not the tender, that is clear, and it may seem too optimistic, but it is important not to despair.
I do not know where the round table is going, but my objective is to put forward proposals to give alternatives to today’s challenges, to generate debate and reflection on it, to move forward, and if possible with strength and enthusiasm.