Stable and democratic development in
Nordic neighbouring countries is given
high priority by the Nordic Council of
Ministers. The concept Nordic neighbouring
countries has for a number of
years included the Baltic states Estonia,
Latvia and Lithuania, North-West Russia
and the Arctic regions.
Cultural mediation paves the way
The overall objectives for the Nordic
Council of Ministers’ co-operation
with the neighbouring countries involve
i.a. contributing to stability, democracy
and the development of a set of
common values with northern Europe.
It is therefore quite natural that cultural
mediation is stressed as one of five
subject areas which the Council of
Ministers want to promote over the
next three years of co-operation with
the countries in question. A wellfunctioning
library service and extensive
publication of quality literature are
some of the prequisites for developing
democracy and stability. Translation
(and publication) of Nordic literature
into the Baltic languages and Russian –
and vice versa – is moreover quite
essential for creating this set of common
values with northern Europe.
Strong focus on literature and library
activities in the neighbouring countries
Nordic Literature and Library Committee
(Nordbok) has therefore prepared
a plan for a literature and library
co-operation with the neighbouring
countries over the next three years.
Baltic applications are participating on
an equal footing in Nordbok’s pool for
literature and library co-operation and
receive about 1/4 of the pool for projects
like for example joint library conferences,
reading of Nordic literature in
Baltic libraries and exhibition of Baltic
literature in the Nordic libraries. In
Nordbok’s opinion this co-operation,
working on a small budget, leads to
fruitful exchange between the neighbouring
countries. 100 libraries and 45
other institutions from the Baltic countries
took part in the great Nordic culture
manifestation Nordic Library
Week – twilight zone. Nordbok contributes
substantially to the publication
of Baltic literature in the North and
Nordic literature in the Baltic countries
and North-West Russia. It is done via
financial support for translations,
translation courses and a newsletter on
Baltic literature which is distributed to
Nordic publishers and libraries.
Support for competency development
It is also necessary to make serious efforts
to raise the level within the Baltic
and Russian library service. Nordbok
has financed a course for library directors
in the neighbouring count ries
which has been prepared by Helsinki
City Library. The Committee hopes to
get the financial means to continue the
programme in 2004.
Translated by Vibeke Cranfield
