Classics remain most translated Catalan books in 2018

Some 86 titles were translated into English, German, Czech, Portuguese, Italian and Slovenian, with an opening to the Arab world

A reader holds an English version of Confessions on January 4 by Cabré (by Violeta Gumà)
A reader holds an English version of Confessions on January 4 by Cabré (by Violeta Gumà) / ACN

ACN | Barcelona

January 4, 2019 05:26 PM

While still on provisional numbers, 2018 will have been a good year for Catalan literature translated to the outside world. Currently there are 86 titles published – some of which done with the help of the Institut Ramon LLull.

The books were translated into foreign languages like German, Hungarian, Slovenian, English, Portuguese, Czech, Italian, and Bulgarian, as well as an opening into the Arab literary market. And the definitive tally of books translated is predicted to be much higher, expected to be at around 150, according to the Institut Ramon Llull director Iolanda Batallé.

Looking for some good authors to start with? Many Catalan classics were translated with names like Mercè Rodoreda, Joan Sales and Manuel de Pedrolo at the forefront, along with Jaume Cabré, and the new additions of Alicia Kopf, Xavier Bosch, Tina Vallès, Josep Maria Esquirol, Imma Monsó and Francesc Serés.