NEA International Literary Exchanges

NEA International Literary Exchanges supports cross-cultural dialogue about literature, particularly through the translation and publication of contemporary literary anthologies. An important component of each project is substantial public outreach to bring writers and audiences together for a deeper understanding of the literary work and its culture. Outreach activities include bringing writers of the participating countries to the U.S. for readings and discussions; likewise, U.S. authors have the opportunity to engage with audiences in the partner countries. The initiative expands the range of international literature available in English to U.S. readers and, conversely, helps make the literature of U.S. authors more widely available in other languages.
 

The NEA's historic partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Mexico and Mexico's National Autonomous University resulted in the 2006 publication of two bilingual poetry anthologies, Connecting Lines and Líneas Conectadas.

The NEA then adapted the model to support a bilingual anthology of contemporary Russian poetry.  The NEA's Russian partner, the Foundation for Creative Projects, supported a bilingual anthology of contemporary American poetry that was published in Russia in October 2007.

 
Other NEA international anthology partnerships are with Mexico, Northern Ireland, Pakistan, and China.

Publication and public programs related to the projects with Pakistan and China will take place in 2011-2012.