“Α House between the seas and the gods”
This is the phrase that was uttered by the pioneers for the foundation of the International Writers and Translators’ Center of Rhodes (IWTCR) on the day of its opening ceremony.
ESTABLISHMENT
The idea of establishing the IWTCR was put forward on the “World Renaissance” cruiser in November 1994. On a ten-day literary journey 400 literary passengers from 30 different countries of the three seas (the Aegean, the Black and the Baltic Seas) decided to found a literary centre in the Mediterranean.
On board there were a lot of different activities: literary activities, poetry contests, translation workshops, poetry readings, movies, improvised theatre. In the ports visited they were expected by other literary people who had organized their own literary activities.
Therefore, under the auspices of UNESCO and the patronage of the Municipality of Rhodes, the IWTCR was inaugurated in September 1996 and since then it has been operating regularly implementing projects and offering accommodation to writers and translators from all over the world.
Since 2011 the IWTCR belongs to the Municipal Organization for Culture and Sports of Rhodes (DOPAR).
OBJECTIVES
a) To become a meeting point of works, knowledge, ideas and views of writers, translators and scientists from all over the world.
b) To contribute to the interdisciplinary dialogue between writers, translators and scientists by securing the necessary means and conditions for their work, their unhindered and free expression and promotion of their work.
c) To assist in the enhancement of Greek and world literature.
d) To establish cooperation with similar organizations worldwide as well as international associations.
e) To promote ideas, rights and ideals of the freedom of thought and expression as well as the peaceful coexistence of the people.
f) To encourage and support new writers, mostly through various educational projects for all ages as well as special educational programmes.
g) To create and build the necessary logistical infrastructure for the realization of the above goals.
GUEST HOUSE
The IWTCR’s guest house provides accommodation for writers, translators, academics, researchers, historians, scholars, artists etc.
Duration: from 2 to 6 weeks
10 rooms, one of them is a double room
Free wireless internet access inside the rooms and all over the place
Free accommodation. The residents enjoy all the comforts of a guest house, i.e., fully equipped kitchen where they can prepare their meals, dining room, TV set, washing machine etc.
More than 20-25 residents annually
They work independently or in groups. Writers, poets or translators usually start or go on with their work. Sometimes authors collaborate with their translators or implement workshops.
Residents are encouraged to get involved in the IWTCR’s activities
Events with residents
The terms and conditions are set out on the IWTCR’s website www.writercenter.gr Applications are made through the online application page.
ACTIVITIES
• EVENTS
Book presentations
Tributes to authors
Literary and translation contests and creative writing and translation workshops for adults
Poetry set to music
Reading evenings
Theatrical reader’s workshops and performances
World Days (Poetry, Children’s Book, Book, Music, Translation etc)
Seminars/Symposiums on education, literature and translation
Poetry/Poetry set to music Festival
One-day/Two-day meetings/Conferences on literature, translation, education, contemporary issues (racism, environment etc)
Moreover
IWTCR’s Reading Club, once a month
IWTCR’s Creative Writing Workshops for adults, once a month
Educational Programmes
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES for schoolchildren and teens
- Museum kits with artifacts, teaching material, slides, photographs, books and educational games
- Mobile exhibitions with writers’ biographies and information about their works
- Book presentations for children
- Painting activities
- School visits of writers
- School visits of illustrators
BOOK ADVENTURES: educational programme that is implemented each year and includes Painting, Creative Writing and Translation Workshops and Contests for preschoolers, schoolchildren and teens.
This programme aims to contribute to love of reading urging schoolchildren and teens to be fond of literature and become active readers. The IWTCR staff visits schools to initiate creative writing and translation workshops and organizes painting, literary and translation contests awarding prizes and praises.
LIBRARY
- Library with 10.000 titles and monographs, books for children and teens included.
- Lending library and reading place
- The IWTCR has a multilingual library. The majority of the books come from the writers and the translators who visit the Center. Some books have been donated and some others have been bought by the Center.
- Since 2011, the IWTCR has been in charge of all the municipal libraries on the island
PUBLICATIONS
The Center has published 22 books of different genres: prose and poetry, history, tradition, essay, bilingual books, conference proceedings etc and 8 issues of the HELIOS bilingual (English-Greek) literary magazine. In HELIOS there are a lot of articles written by non-Greek writers, because the magazine is oriented to the intercultural dialogue and the promotion of different cultures.
Project: “Literary Routes”
The “Literary Routes” project is designed and implemented by the IWTCR. It aims to open lines of communication among writers, translators, readers –young and adults- in order that the particular features of different civilizations can be fostered and contribute to the intercultural dialogue, the familiarization with different cultures, the freedom of thought and expression and the best practices in education.
