One of the most positive results of the FIL in Guadalajara is that, through the Instituto Ramón Llull (IRL), it has promoted new translations of several Catalan writers who formed part of the Barcelona delegation. In addition, many of them were published in Mexican editorials, which I believe opened access to new readers. It is also a classic: at the FIL stage, the first translation of Mercè Rodoreda’s poetry into castellano was presented, by Godall Editorial. Translation has become an important issue these days in Guadalajara, and within the framework of the meeting of the editorial sector with President Salvador Illa, Mayor Jaume Colboni and the Councilor for Culture, Sonia Hernández, they have taken advantage of this to announce the First International Forum of Translators of Catalan Literature into Other Languages, which will be held on November 23, 26, 2026 at the CCCB in Barcelona, led by the IRL.
Over the past few years, the translation of Catalan literature has expanded in practice, but has gained a prestigious status. Proof of this is the recent European Prize for Low Countries Literature for the Dutch translation of the novel How wonderful it is to look into the darkness Written by Irene Sola, credited to author and translator Adri Boone. Over the past few years, IRL has also organized working sessions for translators from all the writer’s languages, such as Solà or Mireia Calafell. The forum will be the first time that Catalan translators from all over the world will come together in the same place. It will bring together more than 150 specialists from different countries and combine plenary sessions, workshops, sector discussions and sector meetings with the aim of being a meeting point but also “a catalyst for new translations, projects and alliances of the Catalan literary and editorial system with the international system”.
President Illa stated that the forum “is a recognition of the work of translators and a push so that Catalan literature becomes better known.” He insisted on the desire to internationalize Catalan culture: “We cannot remain closed at home. We have to go out and explain what we are doing. Catalonia must emerge culturally, academically and economically.” He also spoke about the cooperation between Ayuntamiento and the government, saying, “We are not defeated when the city and the government are out of his hand,” and stated that he is “working” on setting assumptions for next year. He insisted on his commitment to reach little by little the target of 2% culture spending, a demand that has been dragging the sector down for many years: “Great revolutions happen step by step,” he said.
For his part, Jaume Colboni spent his last day in Guadalajara to start the budget for FIL, which is in Ecuador. He stressed: “We brought everything and achieved everything.” He insisted that the victory “was not clear” and was achieved thanks to the collusion of the Catalan government and with the support of the entire value chain in the publishing world.