Promotion of Italian Books Abroad

Even in this multimedia era books still play an essential role in the development of a country’s culture. The diffusion of Italian books throughout the world is therefore an indispensable instrument for Italian cultural promotion abroad. In this context the foreign ministry:

• distributes awards and contributions for the diffusion of Italian books and the subtitling and dubbing of short and feature-length films; and
• contributes to Italy’s participation in the International Book Fair.

Awards and contributions for the diffusion of Italian books in translation and the subtitling and dubbing of short and feature-length films are distributed (Law 401/90 and D.I. 593/95 – G.U. 141 of 18.06.1996) pending the opinion of the National Commission for the Promotion of Italian Culture Abroad on the basis of proposals for awards and contributions received by the Ministry every six months from the Embassies.
These awards are in recognition of the particularly significant activity being carried out for the diffusion of Italian culture of the foreign publishers and translators that receive them.
The contributions are granted to Italian works placed in broad and articulated cultural contexts.
The sum available os approximately 430,000 euro annually, with which on average over 100 works are translated every year.
Considered in this context are the translation of Italian books that take part in targeted projects (collections, special events, academic texts) that highlight meaningful historic/cultural links or that concern sectors of Italian culture of particular interest abroad.
For information: DGPCC I, Publishing Section
In addition to the incentives provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the diffusion of Italian books in foreign languages, there are those of the Directorate General for library treasures and the Cultural Institutes of the Ministry of Culture, Publishing Division, which awards a “National Translation Prize”, and by the Publishing department of the Prime Minister’s Office.
As for Italy’s participation in the International Book Fair, in 2003, for example, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs made a significant contribution to Italy’s presence as a guest at the International Book Biennial in Rio de Janeiro, and to its the usual participation in the Buenos Aires Book Fair.