Collège International des Traducteurs Littéraires
Created by the ATLAS association in 1987, the International College of Literary Translators’ (CITL) purpose is to offer residencies to literary translators from around the world, as well as to authors wishing to work with their translator or alongside researchers and linguists. The CITL’s primary aim is to offer a professional setting for translators to work on their current project, which needs to be within the context of a contract with a publishing house. The CITL’s purpose is also to facilitate exchanges between professionals often used to solitary work.
With nearly 700 square meters spread over two floors, the CITL is a dedicated residency space that provides translators with individual rooms as well as a communal space, with a shared kitchen and living room. The CITL also provides a working library accessible 7 days a week and 24 hours a day with more than 20,000 works in over 60 languages.
Between 150 and 200 residents stay at the CITL each year.
Alongside offering residencies at the CITL, ATLAS’ mission is to develop literary events for a non-professional public. ATLAS produces the “Assises de la traduction littéraire” (a 3-day festival on literary translation) each year in November, as well as regular cultural event programmes such as public readings and discussions with authors and translators. The team at ATLAS also work on regular funded projects to support literary translators in their careers (workshops, trainings, bursaries...).
The space has 10 individual rooms, each with their own private bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen, a dining room, a roof terrasse and a patio. The library is open 24/7 for the residents. It contains over 20,000 books, dictionaries, encyclopedia, specialised publications, and numerous publications on linguistic and translation theory. The library offers 10 desks with computers, printers and Internet access.
Library: open around the clock for the residents, it contains over 18000 books, dictionnaries, encyclopedia, specialised publications and numerous publications on linguistic and translation theory. Also the library offers 10 desks with computer, printer and Internet.
The CITL is located in the heart of Arles, a beautiful town in Provence, in the South of France. The building is an Hôtel-Dieu hospital dating from the 16th century, which was renovated and transformed into the Espace Van Gogh, which is run by the city of Arles. Located in the city centre, the Espace Van Gogh also hosts the city’s Archives, the Arles media library and exhibition spaces.
The city of Arles has a long history, and was of considerable importance in the Roman era. Many artists have lived and worked in this area including Pablo Picasso, Paul Gauguin and Vincent van Gogh. An international photography festival has been held annually in the city since 1970. The Roman heritage of Arles is unique and can be seen at every corner - the whole of the old town is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.