Submission now open for the 2025 "Etxepare - LABORAL Kutxa Translation Prize"

Through this call, a prize will be awarded for the translation of a literary work originally written in Basque and published in 2024.

The call for entries for the translation prize organised annually by the Etxepare Basque Institute and LABORAL Kutxa is now open. Through this call, a prize will be awarded for the translation of a literary work originally written in Basque and published in 2024. The two institutions collaborate to promote the translation and publication of Basque literature beyond the Basque-speaking region. The call for entries is open from July 4 to August 27 (entry requirements).

The jury’s decision will be based on the quality of the translation and the effectiveness of the publisher´s promotional efforts. The prize is worth 4,000 euros to be shared equally between the publisher and the translator. Additionally, the prize-winners will be eligible for a grant of up to 2,000 euros. This grant will support their attendance at the prize-giving ceremony and further promotional activities in the country where the translated work is published. These activities may include presentations, events, publicity campaigns, and media interviews.

The contest is open to translators and publishers from around the world, subject to the following requirements: the translation must have been published in 2024 and is the translation of a literary work originally written and published in Euskara.

Last year’s award went to Kontrako eztarritik by Uxue Alberdi, translated from Euskara into Catalan by Estibaliz Lizaso. The translation was published by Pol·len edicions under the title Revers. Testimonis de dones bertsolaris. The jury praised Estibaliz Lizaso’s translation work for it is ‘impeccable in every respect’ and ‘the language used by the translator is genuine, fluid and fully effective in achieving the author’s intended purpose’.  

(News published on the website of the Institute)