abroad

Since its founding in 1998, Het beschrijf has also been active internationally. The organisation has emerged as a promoter and presenter of Dutch-language literature abroad, mostly in collaboration with partners from the Netherlands. Major campaigns have been undertaken in various European cities and at international book fairs in London (1999), Turin (2001), Paris (2003) and Berlin (2004). Smaller initiatives then followed in other cities including Madrid and Vilnius.

Het beschrijf gives a central place to the meeting of Flemish and international literature on both the Brussels and international stages. The elements include artistic and creative exchanges between Flemish and international authors and audiences, the creation of opportunities for mobility, expanding the literary horizons of Flemish authors and the enrichment of their future work. This principle of exchange is applied within all the various components of our activities. For example, Flemish authors can take up writer-in-residence posts in other cities (Montreal, Dubrovnik, Amsterdam, Kasmu/Tallinn, Wales). Programme and author exchanges take place through international literary centres and festivals.

Het beschrijf is involved in two European international networks:

HALMA - the European network of literary centres

In 2008, Het beschrijf joined the HALMA network, which was set up in 2006 by the Literarisches Colloquium Berlin with the support of the Bosch Foundation. HALMA brings together European literary centres in order to create forms of cooperation in which intercultural dialogue and exchange between different regions is of central importance.

Literature Across Frontiers

From 2009, Het beschrijf will be a partner to Literature Across Frontiers, a project for literary exchange and policy debate. LAF works through partnerships between European organisations on an international level and with particular attention to literary translation. It supports the operations of the partner organisations and is a catalyst for new partnerships and innovative projects.