“Angela Merkel,” Erlanger writes, “joined with president Emmanuel Macron of France to propose borrowing €500 billion (US$545 billion) for a common recovery fund. In terms of the pandemic and Brussels’ struggle to support its member-states in the economic upheaval caused by the contagion, Steven Erlanger at The New York Times writes about Germany’s break with tradition to back the concept of collective European debt in order to help the union’s countries most badly damaged by the onslaught of the coronavirus COVID-19. “With this year’s European presidency, unexpectedly marked by the COVID-19 pandemic that impacts all previously planned activities, Croatia supports the recognition of the prize for demonstrating the contribution of our literary voices.” Nina Obuljen Koržinek-minister of culture for the Croatia, which holds the presidency of the EU at the moment-is quoted today, saying, “ Through reading translations by local publishers of these awarded works, Croatia has had the opportunity to witness the power of the beautiful contemporary European literary word, as well as the importance of sharing new, different, unknown ideas and perspectives. Obviously, one of the best parts of this effort is that it signals to publishers, rights directors, and literary agents important titles to consider for translation. Every three years, the program cycles through the 41 nations aligned with the Creative Europe cooperation, which funds the prize. Since then, and inclusive of this year, the program has honored 135 writers in 12 cycles of the awards. This award program was opened in 2009, as the last great economic crisis swept over the union. Reading is a powerful way to feel strong emotions, be transported to a different universe in time and space, and meet new characters, all while staying at home.”

“ In the current crisis,” Gabriel says, “we rely more than ever on artists and authors to help us cope with the isolation of confinement. Mariya Gabriel, the EU commissioner for innovation, research, culture, education, and youth, has gone right to the point in her statement on the release of the new slate of laureates. Image – iStockphoto: Alexandros Michailidis Brusselsīy Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief | Literature When ‘We Can Only Travel in Thought’ At what is hardly an easy time for the European Union, its announcement today (May 19) of its 2020 round of European Union Prize for Literature winners has that sense of continuity that some of the national governments of the world are proving unable to muster.

Ministar by Stefan Bošković