The International Center for Literary Translators in Sremski Karlovci was founded in 2003 by a few enthusiasts eager both to promote the wonderful skill of literary translation in Serbia and to promote the translation of Serbian and the literatures of the languages spoken in Vojvodina. Located in the northern Serbian province of Vojvodina, it offers it’s visitors a unique experience of tranquil working in an environment where there are six official languages (Serbian, Croatian, Hungarian, Slovakian, Ruthenian and Romanian). This multilingualism guarantees that Sremski Karlovci is the right place for the literary translators to meet and exchange ideas and thoughts. However, although the literary translators are the main focus of our Center, authors such as writers or poets are most welcome to visit us. Apart from peaceful working surroundings the slopes of Fruška Gora mountain offer our visitors memorable visits to the wine cellars and Orthodox monasteries which are scattered all around it’s hills.
Since the time of the disintegration of the Roman Empire when Europe split into two mutually confronted halves, short or long periods have alternated during which the gap increasingly grew and accelerated or—yet this not so often—became lesser and slower. But it has never ceased to exist.
It was historical circumstances that filled the gap between the two halves of the Roman Empire with the migrating Slav peoples. At one moment it seemed likely that history cast those Slav tribes in the role of a spiritual bridge in order to maintain the European spiritual unity. However, the gap was so powerful that it made the Slavs themselves divide into those of the West and those of the East. Now, how could the divided Slav spirit be brought to a synthesis that would further lead to the creation of bonds and unification of the common European spirit? An important role could be given to the southern branch of the Slav tribe which still inhabits the fissure yet hopefully maintains the capability of taking in and understanding the essence of each of the two Europe’s halves. Or, at least, it could provide a shelter and a haven where the two European halves can meet in a mutual dialogue.
And that is what our International Center for Literary Translators aspires to be: a place of encounters, of dialogues, of familiarising with "the other" and "the different". Nature and history are on our side, and we hope the time can be so, too: the shady slopes of Mt. Fruška Gora, a great many sunny days over the year, orchards and vineyards yielding an abundance of fruits and rewarding every guest and passing visitor. With the regional history still reminding us of past stirrings and quests, migrations and relocations of peoples and borders. Small wonder that (to many) the greatest Serbian novel bears the corresponding title: "Migrations" (Seobe); its story unwinding in the 18th century, on the very place where our centre is housed.
We can wonder if the present time will prove supportive of our intentions to contribute to European unity and the spiritual understanding between various regions and parts of Europe—East and West, North and South. It is upon understanding of one’s own responsibility that an affirmative answer depends. At this moment, in the aftermath of a century that increased the schism in Europe, we are on the threshold of a period—one of unpredictable duration—when the forces of synthesis and unity will be gaining in strength. Therefore, we have to set to work and yield our own contribution to that healing process.
The International Center for Literary Translators in Sremski Karlovci Once our center starts humming in diverse languages that come from all parts of Europe and the globe, we shall know with certainty that we are treading the right path, the path running toward synthesis and unity.
Zoran Stojanović
HALMA grant holder Richard Obermayr wrote about his stay at the International Center for Literary Translators. His essay is available in the European Library of the HALMA network.