“...an unforgettable personal experience to meet so many colleagues from abroad. It couldn’t have been better.”
–Jos den Bekker, program participant

About Banff International Literary Translation Centre (BILTC)

Inspired by the network of international literary translation centres in Europe, the Banff International Literary Translation Centre (BILTC) is the only one of its kind in North America. The primary focus of the residency is to afford working and professional literary translators a period of uninterrupted work on a current project. Many participants find that the most enriching and lasting rewards of the program are the deep personal and professional connections they make with their international colleagues.

The Banff International Literary Translation Centre hosts one translation student from each of the founding countries—Canada, Mexico, and the United States—and 15 literary translators, either from the Americas translating literature from anywhere in the world, or translators from anywhere in the world translating literature from the Americas (please see eligibility section for specific requirements for students and translators). The program welcomes applications from translators at different stages of their careers, from those with only one book-length published translation to veterans who have been translating as a primary professional activity for many years. Since the inaugural program in 2003, the Centre has hosted translators from approximately 30 countries translating work involving more than 40 languages.

Translators may request a joint residency of one week with the author they are translating. Most guest authors come from Canada, the United States, and Mexico, but the program is sometimes able to bring authors from farther afield. Individual work sessions with the consulting translators serving in residence, as well as with the program director, are also available. Participants give presentations of their work at meetings of the entire group held thrice weekly, at which time broader issues in the practice of literary translation are also discussed.

2014 Authors: Marianne Apostolides, Joseph Boyden, Alejandro Crotto and Kelly Link.                                                                                     
2014 Participants: Anissa Bachan, Claudia Cabrera, Martín "Makáwi" Chávez, Debbie Eylon, Mark Fried, Jiri Hruby, Mohammed Javadi, Betül Kadioglu, Ana Laura Magis Weinberg, Meg Matich, Robin Myers, Cristina Rascón, Gabriela Román Fuentes, Eddie Song, Madeleine Stratford, Albertha Johanna (Barber) van de Pol, Sophie Voillot, and Alex Zucker.

2013 Authors: Normand Chaurette, Ian Ferrier, Marco Micone, Nathaniel Rich, and Gabriella Scheer
2013 Participants: Lisa Rose Bradford, Nicolas Coutlee, Nevena Dichlieva-Krysteva, Sonja Finck, Eric Fontaine, Marie Frankland, Antonio Garcia Salas, Elizabeth Harris, Nicolette Hoekmeijer, Deniz Koç, Juan Antonio Montiel, Rocio Morales Ugalde, Rachel Morgenstern-Clarren, Bernhard Robben, William Rodarmor, Magdalena Sorensen, and Claire Varin  

2012 Authors: Margaret Atwood, Hélène Rioux, Jeffrey Yang, and more
2012 Participants: Kareem Abu-Zeid, Jos den Bekker, Carlos Ciade,  Mónica de la Colina, Talal Faisal, Beatrice Fassbender, Shelley Frisch, Sjaak de Jong, Jonathan Kaplansky, Samantha LeClair, Alba Marina Escalón, Janet Poole, Roberto Rueda Monreal, Alexandre Sanchez, Heinz Schwarzinger, Rachael Small, Violeta Tauragiene, and Eugenia Vázquez Nacarino

Who Should Apply

If you are looking for time to focus on a current literary project and an opportunity to connect with other literary translators from around the world, this residency is for you. For more specifics, see the eligibility section.

Arrival and Departure Dates

Participants should plan to arrive in Banff on Sunday, June 7, 2015, and depart on Sunday, June 28, 2015.

Want to extend your stay?

Self-directed Writing Residencies run year-round and provide the time and space for focused work. Extend your stay before or after this program by applying for a Self-directed Residency. Independent residencies are also available in the Leighton Artists' Colony.