ARIANE programme - support for books and reading
The Decision adopting the ARIANE programme, which provides Community support, including translation, in the field of books and reading, has been published in the Official Journal. The ARIANE programme, which runs for 1997 and 1998, will have a budget of ECU 7 million. It will encourage, by means of translation, a wider dissemination of 20th century literary works of merit; contemporary dramatic works; and reference works, in order to improve knowledge and understanding of different European cultures and histories. In particular, in respect of literary works, translations into or from less widely used European languages will be supported. Other activities to be supported by ARIANE will include: - Cooperation projects for exchanges of experience and know-how, and the development of partnership initiatives facilitating access to data relevant to the dissemination of books and promotion of reading; - Encouragement of high-quality translation by providing Community support for training of literary translators; - Supplementing the above initiatives by supporting innovative study and research projects. The ARIANE programme complements the KALEIDOSCOPE and RAPHAEL programmes in the cultural field, as well as other programmes in the education and training fields. It should be noted that the Commission plans to put forward a proposal for a single overall Community cultural programme during 1998, which is likely to bring together all of the activities presently addressed under different programmes. This initiative is in line with the debate at the Culture Council of 30 June 1997, where Ministers supported the principle of a single cultural programme.