ESTONIA

Information gathered by: Liisi Aibel

Editors’ note: The list and information provided may be updated with new findings and opportunities.

  1. Where can I find information about contemporary plays in your country? The Estonian Theatre Agency provides an overview of all Estonian plays (13,342 plays in the database). The Estonian Theatre Agency has organised playwriting competitions since 1995. In addition to the New Drama Competition organised every other year, the Agency has organised international, children’s, and youth’s play and monodrama competitions. An average of 65 plays are submitted annually. Translating the winning play into English has become a tradition and winning plays are widely disseminated  abroad (https://teater.ee/naitekirjandus/naidendid/).
  2. Where can theatre translators apply for funding and develop their skills? The main financial tool for supporting translations (from Estonian to foreign languages) is the Traducta program under Estonia’s Cultural Endowment. Traducta offers grants to translators and foreign publishers translating Estonian literature for publication outside of Estonia. Both private and legal persons (translators and publishers) are eligible for the translation grants. Only publishers are eligible for the publication grants. The annual deadlines for submitting applications are 20 February, 20 May, 20 August, and 20 November (www.kulka.ee/programmes/traducta).

  3. Which agencies represent theatre translators? Most the theatre translators are represented by the Estonian Theatre Agency.
  4. Which organisations bring together theatre translators? The Literary Translators’ Section of The Estonian Writers’ Union brings theatre translators together (https://www.ekl.ee/tolkijad/#Tolkijad_EN_ankur).
  5. Where can I find practical answers to questions about fees, contracts, social security, status of an artist, consultation services etc. for theatre translators? Questions concerning fees, contracts, etc. can be directed to the Estonian Theatre Agency. Questions concerning social security, etc. can be directed to the Estonian Writers‘ Union.