Books by European authors translated in Macedonian and published within EU Culture Programme 2007-2013 will be displayed at the Skopje-based EU Info Centre on September 23-29.

During the seven-year programme, 14 publishing houses from Macedonia received grants, with 203 titles from the literatures of 37 European states translated.

Culture Minister Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska and EU Ambassador Aivo Orav voiced satisfaction from the programme results in the publishing section.

"Macedonia, alongside Slovenia and Croatia, is a leader in the use of funds for literary translations within the programme, securing about EUR 1 million for translation of 203 works that have opened new horizons for Macedonian readers", said Minister Kanceska-Milevska.

She expects the publishers' interest and cooperation with the EU to resume within the following programme "Creative Europe 2014-2020", supporting literary translations, language protection and promotion, cultural identity.

Ambassador Orav said the fair would be accompanied by literary readings with European authors and guests, panels on translation from classical languages, as well as literary reading for children.

He also announced the first call for young translators "Babylon", which the EU Delegation to Skopje organizes in cooperation with the Association of Translators of Macedonia.

"The aim is to encourage and promote young translators, stimulating perfection in translation of literary works from EU's official languages", added Orav.

Besides the translating segment, the EU programme was also significant in promoting Macedonian literature in EU member-states, resulting in Goce Smilevski's EU Prize for Literature in 2010, with his book "Sigmund Freud's Sister" already translated in 27 languages.