Inforum : Bulletin des Verlegerforums der Europäischen Union. 2/2007.
Date: 2007-10-03
Institutions: Publications Office of the European Union
Subjects: European Union, Publications Office of the European Union, dissemination of information, publishing, serial publication

Interview with
Patrick Venturini
2-3

Institutional
touch
4-15

Country profi le:
Focus on Spain
16-23

Forum library
24-28

Newsﬂ ash
29-31

ISSN 1606-1799

inf  rum 2/2007

Bulletin of the European Union Publishers’ Forum
Bulletin du Forum des éditeurs de l’Union européenne
Bulletin des Verlegerforums der Europäischen Union

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Interview

Mieux communiquer l’Europe
Rencontre avec Patrick Venturini

1. Les sondages «Eurobaromètre» 
de ces dernières années révèlent 
un manque d’intérêt — ou de 
connaissance — pour  l’Union 
européenne. Pourquoi pensez-vous 
que la plupart des gens  en savent si 
peu sur l’Europe? 

Je ne pense pas qu’il y ait une perte d’intérêt 
durable des citoyens envers l’Union 
européenne. Il  y a un besoin d’Europe. Il 
faut simplement que celle-ci réponde mieux 
aux attentes et aux inquiétudes.

Personnellement, j’insisterais sur la «distance 
fonctionnelle». Entre les superstructures 
européennes («Bruxelles»…) et le citoyen, 
il n’y a pas assez de relais, de ponts, qui 
permettent de rendre à chacun l’Europe plus 
familière, plus proche de ses préoccupations 
essentielles et quotidiennes. En fait, il 
manque ce que j’appellerais une «Europe 
intermédiaire», c’est à dire des lieux 
décentralisés, des procédures, des occasions 
régulières de débat, d’information sur les 
questions européennes qui intéressent 
les citoyens; je dis bien «régulières», et 
pas uniquement à l’occasion d’échéances 
électorales ou de référendums. 

En fait, ce n’est pas tant la quantité 

Plusieurs facteurs peuvent expliquer cet état 
de fait. Notamment, les citoyens continuent 
à considérer que l’Europe est avant tout 
l’affaire des États, et qu’ils ont 
peu de prise sur elle. Le rôle 
ambigu des gouvernements 
des États membres, souvent 
satisfaits de pouvoir imputer 
à l’Union la responsabilité de 
décisions impopulaires, ne 
fait qu’empirer la situation. 
Il faut également souligner 
l’insuffisance, ou la forme 
inappropriée, avec laquelle 
l’Europe est présentée dans 
les Etats membres, déjà au 
niveau de l’école. Ainsi une 
distance s’est créée entre 
les citoyens et le projet 
européen. 

«Ce n’est 
certainement 
pas une question 
de quantité 
d’information à 
produire, mais 
bien de qualité 
et de mode de 
communication.» 

d’information qui manque, 
mais ce sont la forme, la 
façon, les moments  et les 
lieux où cette information est 
diffusée qui sont à améliorer. 

2. Quels sont, à votre 
avis,  les domaines 
stratégiques que les 
institutions européennes 
devraient encourager 
afin de promouvoir 
l’Europe d’une manière 
plus efficace? 

Distance en raison de la complexité du 
fonctionnement de l’Union et de sa 
dimension? Sans doute, mais ceci est 
loin d’être insurmontable. Il est vrai que 
l’Europe est complexe, mais, après tout, 
le fonctionnement de la plupart des Etats 
membres, des plus «grands» en tout cas, 
est également complexe; cependant,  d’une 
façon ou d’une autre, parce qu’il fait partie 
du quotidien des citoyens, et ce depuis leur 
plus jeune âge cette complexité apparaît 
naturellement moins. 

Améliorer la communication en insistant 
effectivement sur certains domaines 
stratégiques, en nombre forcément limité, 
c’est bien. Mais, encore une fois, il s’agit 
surtout de changer notre façon et nos relais 
pour parler d’Europe. Ce n’est certainement 
pas une question de quantité d’information 
à produire, mais bien de qualité et de mode 
de communication. 

L’enquête de l’Eurobaromètre établit un lien 
entre le degré de connaissance et l’adhésion 
au projet européen: «the better people 
know the text, the more they are in favour 
of it». A contrario, cela montre que sans 

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une bonne compréhension des problèmes 
et sans information appropriée, le projet 
européen n’obtiendra pas de soutien 
solide et durable. Il ne s’agit pas de faire du 
prosélytisme, mais de permettre à chacun 
de se faire son opinion. C’est là que les 
organisations représentatives de la société 
civile, et des institutions comme le Comité 
économique et social européen (CESE) ont 
un rôle très  important à jouer.

S’agissant des thèmes prioritaires, on l’a 
assez dit, il convient de mettre l’accent sur 
l’apport, la valeur ajoutée de la construction 
européenne face aux espérances, aux 
besoins, aux préoccupations et aux 
inquiétudes des citoyens dans leur vie de 
tous les jours. 

Autre évidence, il n’existe pas une seule 
opinion publique européenne, mais bien 
27. Les attentes ou préoccupations d’un 
Espagnol ne sont pas les mêmes que celles 
d’une Finlandaise. La communication 
doit être différenciée et modulée en 
conséquence. De plus, les efforts déjà 
entrepris concernant le langage employé 
et la chasse au jargon technocratique 
devraient être rendus systématiques.

Enfin, il existe actuellement une lacune 
difficile à combler: il y a certainement dans 
plusieurs Etats membres une attente, parfois 
un doute, quant à la nature politique du 
projet européen et de l’identité de l’Union. 
Sur ce plan, force est de constater l’absence 
d’une vision ambitieuse pour l’Europe, qui 
puisse motiver et mobiliser les citoyens, et 
notamment les jeunes. 

3. Quel rôle  l’Office des publications 
peut-il ou pourrait-il jouer dans la 
stratégie de communication? 

Le rôle de l’Office est fondamental. D’abord 
parce que c’est un organe interinstitutionnel 
qui a pour objet d’assurer l’édition des 
publications des institutions de l’UE. Il 
permet notamment à ces institutions 
d’accomplir leurs obligations en 
matière de mise à disposition des textes 
réglementaires. Mais aussi, l’Office contribue 
à la conception technique et à la mise en 
œuvre des politiques d’information et de 

inforum 2/2007

communication, et ce dernier rôle peut être 
considérablement développé.

De plus, au travers des nombreux relais 
qu’il anime, l’Office est en phase avec les 
aspirations de ses clients, qui sont aussi les 
citoyens. Par les dispositifs de partenariat 
auxquels il participe, tel le Forum des 
éditeurs, l’Office peut utilement contribuer 
à cette approche plus localement adaptée 
de l’information. Il peut ainsi être l’un de 
ces «ponts» nécessaires entre l’Europe et les 
citoyens.

L’Office peut développer sa fonction de 
conseil et d’assistance aux institutions 
européennes pour la programmation 
et la planification de leurs programmes 
de publications et pour la réalisation de 
leurs projets d’édition. Cela commence 
par une réflexion prospective sur l’avenir 
de la publication sous forme papier et sur 
l’arbitrage et la complémentarité entre le 
support papier et le support électronique 
appliquée aux besoins et orientations 
des citoyens européens et des différentes 
institutions européennes.

4. Quels  sont les défis majeurs  
pour y parvenir ? 

> L’Office devrait ambitionner de devenir un 
pôle central, mais certainement pas unique, 
de l’information communautaire. 

> Etre un animateur de la coopération 
interinstitutionnelle et renforcer son rôle 
dans la politique d’information et de 
communication des institutions. 

> Contribuer à renforcer les synergies 
entre les activités d’information de tous les 
organes de l’Union.

Enfin, grâce à ses relais, l’Office peut apporter 
un «feed-back» très précieux concernant 
l’impact des publications institutionnelles et 
aider ainsi à mieux cerner les attentes et les 
préoccupations des différents publics. Enfin, 
il peut contribuer à améliorer la vitesse de 
réaction permettant d’y répondre. 

n

Patrick VENTURINI

Secrétaire général du Comité économique 
et social européen et Président du Comité 
de direction de l’Office des publications 
officielles des Communautés européennes.  

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Institutional touch

Diversity is one of Europe’s biggest 
Diversity is one of Europe’s biggest 

assets. But it is also one of our great 
challenges, particularly when it comes to 
making us more aware that we are partners 
in a Union linked together by a shared 
history and cultural heritage. Celebrating 
its 50th anniversary this year, the European 
Treaty is a clear testimony of the resolve 
of sovereign countries to forge a common 
destiny.

However, the Union is more than simply 
a treaty between nations as it aff ects its 
citizens directly. Important for its success 
will be its ability to create a European 
awareness and a sense of belonging to a 
common space. Cross-border activities and 
mutual understanding are essential in this 
respect: for Europe’s future; for sustainable 
development; and for achieving the 
goals set out in the Lisbon agenda for 
growth and employment. Culture has an 
indispensable role to play in meeting those 
challenges.

Recent research (1) underlines the 
economic and social importance of culture 
and the cultural industries: with a turnover 
of more than EUR 654 billion in 2003, the 
sector contributed 2.6 % to the European 
Union gross domestic product. The added 
value was more than that of the chemical, 
food and beverage and real estate sectors. 
The generation of jobs in the sector 
between 1999 and 2003 was higher than 
average during that period.

Moreover, the cultural and creative sectors 
foster innovation in other parts of the 
economy. They are also crucial for the 
further development of information and 
communication technologies, one of 

The EU culture programme 2007–13: 

European literature 
crosses borders

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Europe’s key industries, as they provide 
content for digital devices and networks. 
Finally, they assist local development by 
serving as a powerful catalyst for tourism, 
they are strategically important for growth 
and employment in cities and regions, and 
also have signifi cant social impact at local 
level in terms of social regeneration.

There are therefore extremely sound 
political, social and economic reasons 
for the European Union to focus on 
the cultural sector. Culture is fi rst and 
foremost a national responsibility and 
this is recognised in the Treaty. The role 
of the European Union is to complement 
action at national level and to stimulate 

exchanges where it can bring European 
added value.

In this context, after consultations with 
stakeholders, the European Commission 
published a communication on a European 
agenda for culture in a globalising world 
(2) in May this year. This policy document 
reaffi  rms the central role culture plays 
in the European project and proposes a 

(1)	KEA	European	Aff	airs,	Th	 e	economy	of	culture	in	
Europe,	European	Commission,	Brussels,	2006.
(2)	European	Commission,	‘Communication	from	the	

Commission	to	the	European	Parliament,	the	Council,	
the	European	Economic	and	Social	Committee	and	the	
Committee	of	the	Regions	on	a	European	agenda	for	
culture	in	a	globalising	world’	(COM(2007)	242	fi	nal),	
Brussels,	May	2007.

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common agenda — which we hope will 
be shared by Member States and the 
cultural sector — based on three sets of 
broadly defi ned objectives: the promotion 
of cultural diversity and intercultural 
dialogue; the promotion of culture as a 
catalyst for creativity in the framework 
of the Lisbon strategy for growth and 
jobs; and the promotion of culture as a 
vital element in the Union’s international 
relations.

The document also suggests new working 
methods for future European action in this 
fi eld. The ambition of the Commission is to 
develop a more structured dialogue and 
cooperation with and between the various 
stakeholders, including the EU Member 
States and the cultural sector itself. In this 
respect, the Commission will for example 
set up a cultural forum, which will meet 
for the fi rst time in Lisbon, next 26 and 27 
September (1).

The communication is also accompanied 
by a staff  working paper (2) , giving insight 
into the actions the European Union 
undertakes to support culture in addition 
to the culture programme. It shows 
the Union’s vast investments in culture 
through a variety of programmes. To give 
just one example, under the instruments 
of the new cohesion policy 2007–13, the 
draft operational programmes received 
so far by the Commission show planned 
expenditures for culture amounting to 
more than EUR 5 billion: EUR 2.6 billion 
for protection and preservation of 
cultural heritage, EUR 1.8 billion for the 
development of cultural infrastructure, and 
EUR 590 million for assistance to improve 
cultural services. By focusing on targeted 
aims and better coordination at all levels, it 
is expected that more optimal results can 
be achieved in the future and that there 
will be greater awareness at all levels of 
governance that spending on culture is a 
sound investment for society in general.

The culture programme

The communication follows the European 
Commission’s launch of the new culture 
programme for the period 2007–13 (3). With 

inforum 2/2007

a budget of EUR 400 million for the lifetime 
of the programme, it supports projects, 
organisations, promotional activities and 
research in all branches of culture, except 
the audiovisual branch for which there is a 
separate programme (4).

The new culture programme diff ers from 
its predecessor in the sense that it has 
three specifi c objectives: promotion of 
the transnational mobility of people 
working in the cultural sector; support for 
the transnational circulation of cultural 
and artistic products and works; and 
promotion of intercultural dialogue in 
Europe. The new programme has a fl exible, 
interdisciplinary approach and is focused 
on the needs expressed by cultural 
operators during the consultation rounds 
leading up to its design.

The aim of the programme is to create a 
common cultural area, which should, over 
time, help to reinforce a sense of European 
citizenship.

There are three strands within the 
programme.

1. Support for cultural actions 
(approximately 77 % of the programme’s 

budget): Through multi-annual 
cooperation projects, cooperation 
measures (for example grants for 
literary translation, which contribute 
to multilinguism) and special actions 
(European Capitals of Culture and 
European cultural prizes) this strand 
will help cultural organisations to work 
together, to cross borders and to create 
and implement cultural and artistic 
projects. The support for special actions 
is aimed at promoting events that 
reach Europeans in all walks of life, thus 
increasing and broadening the audiences 
for European culture and at the same time 
contributing to their awareness that they 
are part of the European community. Two 
examples discussed in the recent study on 
the economy of culture show the impact of 
these measures. The cities of Lille (France, 
European Capital of Culture 2004) and 
Graz (Austria, European Capital of Culture 

(1)	http://culturalforum.pt/index.php/site/index/
(2)	‘Inventory	of	Community	actions	in	the	fi	eld	of	

culture’	(SEC(2007)	570).

(3)	Culture	programme	for	the	period	2007–13,	Euro-

pean	Commission,	2007	
(http://ec.europa.eu/culture/eac/index_en.html).
(4)	http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/media/

overview/2007/index_en.htm

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Institutional touch

2003) dramatically increased the number 
of visitors to the cities during their events 
and reached many people traditionally not 
interested in culture. These actions also 
stimulate the promotion of new European 
talent. (For example the awards for 
contemporary architecture and for music 
focus on creating more public awareness 
for European culture.)

2. Support for cultural bodies of European 
interest (about 10 % of the programme’s 
budget): This strand is aimed at cultural 
bodies working, or wanting to work at a 
European level. To qualify, applicants need 
to convince the judges that their work has 
a truly European dimension in promoting 
culture and advancing its interests.

3. Support for analysis and dissemination 
activities (about 5 % of the programme’s 
budget): This helps collecting and 
researching results and evaluating them 
against the aim of the programme. The 
study on the economy of culture shows the 
need for strong quantitative evidence in 
the cultural sector. There is also a need for 
streamlining information about the culture 
programme to artists and cultural bodies. 
In this context, cultural contact points 
are funded in all participating countries. 
These contact points not only promote the 
programme and raise awareness about its 
activities and funding possibilities, they 

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also help applicants who want to apply for 
a grant.

Support for European literature

The cultural, educational and social 
benefi ts of literature are clear. Storytelling 
is a universal cultural feature; it seems 
that fi ction is a need expressed by every 
population on the planet. It is not surprising, 
then, that literature has generated creativity, 
contributed to mutual understanding 
between people and fostered greater social 
cohesion in the course of human evolution.

Europe’s celebrated wealth of high-quality 
literature is an enormous cultural asset 
from which more people could and should 
benefi t. With the growing demand for 
content in other creative sectors such as 
theatre, music, fi lm and television, it also has 
the potential to boost creative productivity, 
our income and export possibilities.

Fiction is already an important part of the 
European publishing industry: it forms a 
signifi cant share of the sector’s creative 
input and turnover and it adds to Europe’s 
publishing industry’s reputation and to 
Europe’s image as a creative continent.

Research (1) shows that readership patterns 
in Europe diff er from country to country, 
that language sometimes limits the cross 
border circulation of books and that the 
market is fragmented. And even though 
Europe’s contribution to world literature is 
well-known, a substantial part of European 
contemporary fi ction remains within 
national borders, whereas it could reach 
out to a much larger potential market 
and receive the wider — international 
— acclaim which it deserves.

The culture programme already supports 
the transnational circulation of literary 
works through translation grants. 
However, consultation with stakeholders 
has emphasised the need for further 
promotional action at a European level in 
order to help increase public interest in 
contemporary European literature and to 
boost cross border activity in this fi eld.

The European Union already helps 
to generate greater awareness of 
contemporary architecture, cultural 
heritage and music through European 
cultural awards. Building on the European 
Union’s experience in these fi elds, it was 
decided earlier this year to create a new 
prize for contemporary literature.

On the other hand, European literature 
is culturally and linguistically diverse. 

(1)	KEA	European	Aff	airs.	2006

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The call for proposals for an annual 
European Union Prize for Literature was 
published in July 2007 (1). The aim is to 
select a body capable of organising the 
award of the European Union Prize for 
Literature in 2008. If all goes well during the 
fi rst edition of the prize the selected body 
could also be in charge of the subsequent 
prizes (2009 to 2013), on an annual basis.

The selected body will have three main tasks.

1. It will select new European talents in 
the fi eld of contemporary fi ction from 
all the countries participating in the 
culture programme and promote them in 
participating countries outside their own. 
(The prize will be a lump-sum payment.)

2. It will appoint a well-known personality 
from the fi eld of European literature to take 
on the role of ambassador for this prize. This 

person’s role will be to support and promote 
the new talents mentioned above. (As a prize 
the ambassador will also receive a lump-sum 
payment.) He or she must be prepared to 
play a role in key events to promote the new 
talents, such as the award ceremony and 
certain major events showcasing literature, 
such as festivals and fairs.

3. Finally it will organise the award 
ceremony itself in order to put the award 
winners in the spotlight and underline the 
European dimension.

Applicant organisations will have to prove 
their track record in the fi eld of European 
literature. They will need to convince the 
judging experts of their ability to manage 
a project like this and to assure them that 
they will be able to mobilise the support 
needed to make this project a success. 

Special attention will be paid to the 
communication plan and the applicant’s 
ability to promote both the award winners 
and the prize ceremony.

The deadline for applications for organising 
the 2008 prize is 12 October 2007.

More information on the European 
Commission’s communication on a 
common agenda for culture in a globalising 
world, on the culture programme 2007–13 
and on the call for proposals for an annual 
European Union Prize for Literature can be 
found on the Commission’s website (http://
ec.europa.eu/culture/eac/index_en.html).

Article kindly provided by the Directorate-
General for Education and Culture.                n

 (1)	OJ	C	163,	17.7.	2007

Le programme «Culture» 2007-2013 de l’Union européenne: 

la littérature européenne 
traverse les frontières

La diversité est l’un des principaux atouts 

de l’Europe. Mais c’est aussi l’un de nos 

principaux défi s, en particulier lorsqu’il 
s’agit de prendre davantage conscience 
du fait que nous sommes partenaires 
d’une Union scellée par une histoire et un 
patrimoine culturel communs. Célébrant son 
cinquantième anniversaire cette année, le 
traité de Rome témoigne clairement de la 
détermination de pays souverains à se forger 
une destinée commune.

L’Union est toutefois plus qu’un simple traité 
entre nations, car elle infl ue directement 
sur ses citoyens. Sa réussite dépendra de sa 
capacité à créer une conscience européenne 
et un sentiment d’appartenance à un espace 
commun. Les activités transfrontalières et la 
compréhension mutuelle sont, à cet égard, 
fondamentales: pour l’avenir de l’Europe, 
pour un développement durable et pour 
atteindre les objectifs défi nis dans l’agenda 

de Lisbonne pour la croissance et l’emploi. 
Pour répondre à ces défi s, la culture a un rôle 
indispensable à jouer.

De récentes études (1) ont mis en évidence 
l’importance économique et sociale de la 
culture et des industries culturelles. Avec 
un chiff re d’aff aires de plus de 654 milliards 
d’euros en 2003, ce secteur a contribué à 
hauteur de 2,6 % au produit national brut de 
l’Union européenne (UE). La valeur ajoutée 
est supérieure à celle des secteurs de la 
chimie, de l’alimentation, des boissons et 
de l’immobilier. Le nombre d’emplois créés 
dans ce secteur entre 1999 et 2003 était 
supérieur à la moyenne.

Les secteurs de la culture et de la création 
favorisent, en outre, l’innovation dans 
d’autres secteurs de l’économie. Ils sont 
aussi cruciaux pour le développement 
des technologies de l’information et de 

la communication, une des principales 
industries européennes, car ils fournissent 
du contenu pour les équipements 
numériques et les réseaux. Enfi n, ils 
contribuent au développement local en 
faisant offi  ce de puissant catalyseur pour 
le tourisme, revêtent une importance 
stratégique pour la croissance et l’emploi 
dans les villes et les régions, et ont aussi un 
impact social considérable au niveau local 
en termes de régénération sociale.

L’Union européenne a donc de très bonnes 
raisons politiques, sociales et économiques 
de se concentrer sur le secteur de la culture. 
La culture est avant tout une responsabilité 
nationale et cela est reconnu dans le traité. 
Le rôle de l’Union européenne consiste à 
compléter l’action au niveau national et à 

(1)	KEA	European	Aff	airs	(2006),	«L’économie	de	la	cul-
ture	en	Europe»,	Commission	européenne,	Bruxelles.

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Institutional touch

stimuler les échanges lorsqu’ils peuvent 
apporter de la valeur ajoutée européenne.

Dans ce contexte, après avoir consulté 
les parties intéressées, la Commission 
européenne a publié une «communication 
relative à un agenda européen de la culture 
à l’ère de la mondialisation» (1) au mois 
de mai de cette année. Ce document 
d’orientation réaffirme le rôle prépondérant 
que joue la culture dans le projet européen 
et propose un agenda commun — qui, 
nous l’espérons, sera adopté par les États 
membres et le secteur de la culture — 
fondé sur trois ensembles d’objectifs définis 
dans leurs grandes lignes: la promotion 
de la diversité culturelle et du dialogue 
interculturel; la promotion de la culture en 
tant que catalyseur de la créativité dans le 
cadre de la stratégie de Lisbonne pour la 
croissance et l’emploi; la promotion de la 
culture comme élément indispensable dans 
les relations internationales de l’Union.

Le document propose aussi de nouvelles 
méthodes de travail pour les actions 
européennes à venir dans ce domaine. La 
Commission ambitionne de développer 
un dialogue et une coopération plus 
structurés avec et entre les divers acteurs, 
notamment les États membres de l’UE 
et le secteur de la culture lui-même. À 
cet égard, la Commission organisera, par 
exemple, un forum culturel, qui se réunira 
pour la première fois à Lisbonne, les 26 et 
27 septembre 2007 (2).

La communication s’accompagne 
d’un document de travail (3) donnant 
un aperçu des actions entreprises par 
l’Union européenne pour promouvoir la 
culture, outre le programme «Culture». Il 
montre les importants investissements 
que l’Union consacre à la culture dans 
le cadre de divers programmes. Pour 
ne citer qu’un exemple, les dépenses 
prévues pour la culture dans le cadre des 
projets de programme opérationnel que 
la Commission a reçus jusqu’à ce jour au 
titre de la nouvelle politique de cohésion 
2007-2013 s’élèvent à plus de 5 milliards 
d’euros: 2,6 milliards pour la protection 
et la préservation du patrimoine culturel, 
1,8 milliard pour le développement de 
l’infrastructure culturelle et 590 millions 
d’euros pour l’amélioration des services 
culturels. En se concentrant sur les objectifs 

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visés et sur une meilleure coordination 
à tous les niveaux, on devrait pouvoir 
optimiser les résultats à venir et accélérer 
la prise de conscience, à tous les niveaux 
de gouvernance, du placement sûr que 
constituent les dépenses culturelles pour la 
société en général.

Le programme «Culture»

La communication fait suite au lancement 
du nouveau programme «Culture» pour la 
période 007-01 (4) par la Commission 
européenne. Doté d’un budget total 
de 400 millions d’euros, il soutient des 
projets, des organisations, des activités 
promotionnelles et des recherches 
dans toutes les branches de la culture, à 
l’exception de l’audiovisuel, qui bénéficie 
d’un programme distinct (5).

Le nouveau programme «Culture» diffère de 
ses prédécesseurs dans la mesure où il vise 
trois objectifs spécifiques: la promotion de 
la mobilité transnationale des personnes 
travaillant dans le secteur culturel, le soutien 
à la circulation transnationale des œuvres 
d’art et des produits culturels et artistiques 
et la promotion du dialogue interculturel en 
Europe. Le nouveau programme adopte une 
approche flexible, interdisciplinaire et axée 
sur les besoins exprimés par les opérateurs 
culturels pendant les cycles de consultation 
qui ont abouti à sa conception.

Le but de ce programme consiste à créer 
un espace culturel commun qui, au fil du 
temps, contribue à renforcer la notion de 
citoyenneté européenne.

Ce programme s’articule autour de trois 
volets:

1) Le soutien à des actions culturelles 
(environ 77 % du budget du programme). 
Au moyen de projets de coopération 
pluriannuels, de mesures de coopération 
(par exemple, des subventions pour la 
traduction littéraire, qui contribuent au 
multilinguisme) et d’actions spéciales (les 
capitales européennes de la culture et les 
prix culturels européens), ce volet aidera 
les organisations culturelles à collaborer, à 
traverser les frontières et à créer et mettre 
en œuvre des projets culturels et artistiques. 
Le soutien à des actions spéciales vise à 
promouvoir des événements qui touchent 
les Européens de toute condition, ce qui 
permettra d’élargir les publics de la culture 
européenne tout en contribuant à leur 
prise de conscience de leur appartenance 
à la communauté européenne. Deux 
exemples cités dans l’étude récente sur 
l’économie de la culture montrent l’impact 
de ces mesures. Les villes de Lille (France, 
Capitale européenne de la culture 2004) 
et Graz (Autriche, Capitale européenne 
de la culture 2003) ont considérablement 

(1)	Commission	européenne	(mai	2007),	«Communication	
relative	à	un	agenda	européen	de	la	culture	à	l’ère	de	la	
mondialisation»,	Bruxelles,	COM(2007)	242	final.

(2)	http://culturalforum.pt/index.php/site/index
(3)	«Inventory	of	Community	actions	in	the	field	of	Cul-

ture»,	SEC(2007)	570.

(4)	Commission	européenne	(2007),	programme	Culture	
pour	la	période	2007-2013,	http://ec.europa.eu/culture/
eac/index_fr.html

(5)	http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/media/over-

view/2007/index_fr.htm

 

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pourraient et devraient tirer parti. Avec 
la demande croissante de contenu dans 
d’autres secteurs créatifs tels que le théâtre, 
la musique, le cinéma et la télévision, elle a 
aussi le potentiel de stimuler la productivité 
créative, nos revenus et notre potentiel 
d’exportation.

La fiction représente déjà une part 
importante du secteur européen de l’édition: 
elle constitue une part considérable de 
l’apport créatif et du chiffre d’affaires de 
ce secteur et contribue à la réputation de 
l’industrie européenne de l’édition et à 
l’image de continent créatif qu’est l’Europe.

Mais la littérature européenne se caractérise 
aussi par une diversité culturelle et 
linguistique. Des études (1) montrent que 
le profil du lectorat en Europe diffère d’un 
pays à l’autre, que la langue limite parfois 

accru le nombre de leurs visiteurs pendant 
ces événements et touché de nombreuses 
personnes ne s’intéressant habituellement 
pas à la culture. Ces actions permettent 
également de mettre en valeur de nouveaux 
talents européens (les prix d’architecture 
contemporaine et de musique, par exemple, 
ont pour but de sensibiliser davantage le 
public à la culture européenne).

2) Le soutien à des organismes actifs au 
niveau européen dans le domaine culturel 
(environ 10 % du budget du programme). 
Ce volet s’adresse aux organismes culturels 
travaillant, ou souhaitant travailler, à un 
niveau européen. Pour être éligibles, les 
candidats doivent démontrer la véritable 
dimension européenne de leur travail 
consistant à promouvoir la culture et à 
défendre ses intérêts.

3) Le soutien à des travaux d’analyse et 
de diffusion (environ 5 % du budget du 
programme) contribue à la collecte et à 
l’étude de résultats ainsi qu’à leur évaluation 
par rapport à l’objectif du programme. 
L’étude sur l’économie de la culture met en 
évidence le besoin de données quantitatives 
convaincantes dans le secteur de la culture. 
Il est également nécessaire de centraliser 
les informations relatives au programme 
«Culture» destinées aux artistes et aux 
organismes culturels. Aussi, des points de 
contact «Culture» sont financés dans tous les 
pays participants. Non seulement ces points 
de contact font la promotion du programme 
et en font connaître les activités et les 
possibilités de financement, mais ils aident 
aussi les candidats qui souhaitent faire une 
demande de subvention.

Soutien à la littérature européenne

Les bienfaits culturels, pédagogiques et 
sociaux de la littérature sont manifestes. La 
narration est un élément culturel universel; 
tous les peuples de la planète ont besoin 
de fiction, semble-t-il. Il n’est donc pas 
surprenant que la littérature ait généré de 
la créativité, contribué à la compréhension 
mutuelle entre les peuples et favorisé une 
meilleure cohésion sociale au cours de 
l’évolution humaine.

© Nuria Munarriz

la circulation transfrontalière des livres et 
que le marché est fragmenté. En outre, 
bien que la contribution européenne à la 
littérature mondiale soit bien connue, une 
part substantielle de la fiction européenne 
contemporaine demeure confinée dans 
les limites nationales alors qu’elle pourrait 
atteindre un marché potentiel bien plus 
vaste et connaître le succès international 
qu’elle mérite.

La profusion notoire de littérature de 
qualité en Europe est un atout culturel 
immense dont davantage de personnes 

Le programme «Culture» encourage 
déjà la circulation internationale des 
œuvres littéraires par des subventions à 

la traduction. La consultation des diverses 
parties intéressées a toutefois mis en 
évidence la nécessité d’une promotion 
accrue au niveau européen afin de susciter 
un regain d’intérêt du public pour la 
littérature européenne contemporaine et de 
stimuler les activités transfrontalières dans 
ce domaine.

L’Union européenne contribue déjà 
à faire mieux connaître l’architecture 
contemporaine, le patrimoine culturel 
et la musique à travers des prix culturels 
européens. Sur la base de l’expérience de 
l’Union européenne dans ces domaines, 
il a été décidé, au début de cette année, 
de créer un nouveau prix de littérature 
contemporaine.

L’appel de propositions pour un prix 
de littérature de l’Union européenne 
a été publié en juillet (2). Le but est de 
sélectionner un organisme capable 
d’organiser l’attribution du prix de littérature 
de l’Union européenne en 2008. Si tout se 
passe bien lors de la première édition du 
prix, l’organisme sélectionné pourrait aussi 
se charger des prix à venir (2009 à 2013), qui 
seront décernés tous les ans.

L’organisme choisi assumera essentiellement 
trois tâches:

a) il sélectionnera de nouveaux talents 
européens dans le domaine de la fiction 
contemporaine parmi tous les pays 
participant au programme «Culture» et 
se chargera de leur promotion dans les 
pays participants autres que le leur (le 
prix décerné consistera en une somme 
forfaitaire);

b)  il nommera une personnalité connue dans 
le domaine de la littérature européenne 
pour assumer la fonction d’ambassadeur de 
ce prix. Le rôle de cette personne consistera 
à soutenir et à promouvoir les nouveaux 
talents mentionnés plus haut. (Un prix 
sera également décerné à l’ambassadeur 
sous forme de somme forfaitaire). Cet 
ambassadeur devra également être prêt à 
jouer un rôle dans des événements clés pour 
la promotion de nouveaux talents, tels que 
la cérémonie de remise de prix et certains 
événements majeurs visant à faire connaître 

(1)	KEA	European	Affairs	(2006).
(2)	JO	C	163	du	17.7.2007.

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Institutional touch

la littérature, tels que les festivals et les 
salons;

c) enfi n, il organisera la cérémonie de remise 
de prix elle-même, en mettant les lauréats 
en vedette et en soulignant la dimension 
européenne.

Les organismes candidats devront 
démontrer leur expérience dans le domaine 
de la littérature européenne. Ils devront 
convaincre le jury d’experts de leur capacité 
à gérer un tel projet et à mobiliser le soutien 
nécessaire pour le faire aboutir. Le plan de 

communication et la capacité du candidat 
à faire la promotion aussi bien des lauréats 
que de la cérémonie de remise de prix 
feront l’objet d’une attention particulière.

La date limite de dépôt des candidatures 
pour l’organisation du prix 2008 est fi xée au 
12 octobre 2007.

Pour de plus amples informations sur 
la «communication relative à un agenda 
européen de la culture à l’ère de la 
mondialisation», sur le programme «Culture» 
007-01 et sur l’appel de propositions 

pour un prix annuel de littérature de 
l’Union européenne, consulter le site de la 
Commission:

http://ec.europa.eu/culture/eac/index_
fr.html

Aimable contribution fournie par la Direction 
n
générale de l’éducation et de la culture  

Das EU- Kulturprogramm (2007-2013): 

Die europäische Literatur 
überwindet Grenzen

Europas Vielfalt ist eine seiner wichtigsten 

Stärken, gleichzeitig aber auch eine 
der größten Herausforderungen, vor allem, 
wenn wir uns ins Bewusstsein rufen, dass 
wir Partner in einer Union sind, die durch 
eine gemeinsame Geschichte und ein 
gemeinsames kulturelles Erbe verbunden 
sind. Der Grundstein europäischer Verträge, 
der Vertrag von Rom, dessen 50jähriges 
Bestehen wir in diesem Jahr feiern, zeugt 
vom Entschluss souveräner Staaten, eine 
gemeinsame Zukunft zu schaff en.

Die Europäische Union ist jedoch mehr 
als nur ein Vertrag zwischen Nationen, 
denn sie übt einen direkten Einfl uss auf 
ihre Bürger aus. Entscheidend für ihren 
Erfolg ist die Schaff ung eines europäischen 
Bewusstseins und eines Gefühls der 
Zugehörigkeit. Grenzüberschreitende 
Aktionen und gegenseitiges Verständnis 
sind hierbei unerlässlich, vor allem in Bezug 
auf die Zukunft Europas, auf die nachhaltige 
Entwicklung und auf die Erreichung 
der Ziele, die wir uns mit der Lissabon-
Agenda für Wachstum und Beschäftigung 
gesetzt haben. Bei der Meisterung dieser 
Herausforderungen spielt die Kultur eine 
unabdingbare Rolle.

Aktuelle Studien (1) unterstreichen die 
wirtschaftliche und soziale Bedeutung 
der Kultur und der Kulturindustrien: Mit 
einem Umsatz von über 654 Mrd. EUR 
im Jahr 2003 stellte der Sektor 2,6 % des 
Bruttoinlandsprodukts der Europäischen 
Union. Seine Wertschöpfung war höher 
als die der chemischen Industrie, des 
Lebensmittel  und Getränkesektors und der 
Immobilienbranche. Zwischen 1999 und 
2003 wurden in der Kulturindustrie zudem 
überdurchschnittlich viele Arbeitsstellen 
geschaff en.

Darüber hinaus fördert der Kultur- und 
Kreativsektor die Innovationstätigkeit in 
anderen Wirtschaftsbereichen und ist auch 
für die weitere Entwicklung der Informations  
und Kommunikationstechnologien, eines 
der wichtigsten Wirtschaftsbereiche 
Europas, äußerst wichtig, da er die Inhalte 
für Digitalgeräte und Netzwerke stellt. 
Schließlich unterstützt er durch seinen 
großen Einfl uss auf den Tourismus auch die 
lokale Entwicklung, ist strategisch wichtig 
für Wachstum und Beschäftigung in Städten 
und Regionen und übt einen starken Einfl uss 
auf die soziale Wiederbelebung auf lokaler 
Ebene aus.

Die Europäische Union hat also gute 
politische, soziale und wirtschaftliche 
Gründe, sich verstärkt mit dem kulturellen 
Sektor zu beschäftigen. Die Kultur liegt 
in erster Linie in der Verantwortlichkeit 
der Mitgliedstaaten, was der Vertrag auch 
anerkennt. Die Aufgabe der Europäischen 
Union ist es, Maßnahmen auf nationaler 
Ebene zu ergänzen und Austausch an 
den Stellen zu fördern, an denen er einen 
europäischen Mehrwert schaff t.

Nach Konsultation verschiedener 
Interessengruppen veröff entlichte die 
Europäische Kommission im Mai dieses 
Jahres eine Mitteilung über eine europäische 
Kulturagenda im Zeichen der Globalisierung 
(2). Dieses politische Papier bestätigt noch 
einmal die zentrale Rolle, die die Kultur 
im Projekt Europa spielt, und schlägt eine 
gemeinsame Agenda vor, die hoff entlich 
von den Mitgliedstaaten und dem 
Kultursektor wohlwollend aufgenommen 
werden wird. Diese Agenda basiert auf 

(1)	KEA	European	Aff	airs	(2006),	Studie	zur	Kultur-

wirtschaft		in	Europa,	Europäische	Kommission,	Brüssel.

(2)	Europäische	Kommission	(Mai	2007),	Mitteilung	über	
eine	europäische	Kulturagenda	im	Zeichen	der	Global-
isierung,	Brüssel.	KOM(2007)	242	endg.

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drei Gruppen grob defi nierter Ziele: der 
Förderung der kulturellen Vielfalt und des 
interkulturellen Dialogs, der Förderung von 
Kultur als Kreativitätsmotor im Rahmen 
der Lissabon Strategie für Wachstum und 
Beschäftigung und der Förderung von 
Kultur als grundlegendem Element der 
internationalen Beziehungen der Union.

Das Papier enthält außerdem Vorschläge 
für neue Arbeitsmethoden für künftige 
europäische Aktivitäten in diesem Bereich. 
Ziel der Kommission ist es, den Dialog 
und die Zusammenarbeit mit und unter 
den verschiedenen Interessengruppen, 
einschließlich der EU Mitgliedstaaten 
und des Kultursektors selbst, besser zu 
strukturieren. So richtet die Kommission 
z. B. ein Kulturforum ein, das zum ersten 
Mal am 26./27. September 2007 in Lissabon 
zusammenkommen wird (1) .

Zur Mitteilung gehört auch ein 
Arbeitspapier der Kommissionsdienststellen 
(2), das einen Überblick über die Aktivitäten 
der Europäischen Union zur Unterstützung 
der Kultur über das Kulturprogramm 
hinaus enthält. Es zeigt die umfangreichen 
Investitionen der Union in die Kultur in 
Form einer Vielzahl von Programmen auf. 
Ein Beispiel: Im Rahmen der Instrumente 
der neuen Kohäsionspolitik 2007-2013 
weisen die bis jetzt bei der Kommission 
eingegangenen Entwürfe operationeller 
Programme geplante Ausgaben für Kultur in 
Höhe von über 5 Mrd. EUR auf: 2,6 Mrd. EUR 
für den Schutz und den Erhalt kulturellen 
Erbes, 1,8 Mrd. EUR für die Entwicklung der 
kulturellen Infrastruktur und 590 Mio. EUR 
für eine Unterstützung der Verbesserung 

der kulturellen Dienstleistungen. Durch die 
Konzentration auf Schwerpunkte und eine 
bessere Koordinierung auf allen Ebenen 
dürften künftig bessere Resultate erzielt 
und ein größeres Bewusstsein auf allen 
Verwaltungsebenen dafür geschaff en 
werden, dass Ausgaben im kulturellen 
Bereich eine Investition für die Gesellschaft 
allgemein darstellen.

Das Kulturprogramm

Die Mitteilung schließt an den Start des 
neuen Kulturprogramms 2007-2013 (3) an. 
Für die gesamte Dauer dieses Programms 
stehen 400 Mio. EUR zur Verfügung. Diese 
werden zur Unterstützung von Projekten, 
Organisationen, Werbemaßnahmen und 
Forschungsarbeiten in allen kulturellen 
Bereichen eingesetzt; davon ausgeschlossen 
ist nur der audiovisuelle Bereich, für den ein 
gesondertes Programm existiert (4).

Das neue Kulturprogramm unterscheidet 
sich von seinem Vorgänger insofern, als 
dass es drei bestimmte Ziele verfolgt: 
die Förderung der grenzüberschreitende 
Mobilität von Beschäftigten im kulturellen 
Sektor, die Unterstützung für die 
grenzüberschreitende Verbreitung von 
kulturellen und künstlerischen Produkten 
und Werken sowie die Förderung des 
interkulturellen Dialogs in Europa. Das 
neue Programm stützt sich auf einen 
fl exiblen, interdisziplinären Ansatz und 
konzentriert sich auf die Bedürfnisse, die 
die Träger kultureller Projekte während der 
Beratungen, die zum Programmentwurf 
führten, ausdrückten.

© Nuria Munarriz

inforum 2/2007

Ziel des Programms ist die Schaff ung eines 
gemeinsamen Kulturraums, der im Laufe der 
Zeit dazu beitragen soll, das Bewusstsein für 
eine Europabürgerschaft zu verstärken.

Das Programm umfasst drei 
Aktionsbereiche:

1. Unterstützung kultureller Projekte 
(rund 77 % des Programmbudgets). 
Dieser Aktionsbereich soll durch 
mehrjährige Kooperationsprojekte, 
Kooperationsmaßnahmen (z. B. 
Zuschüsse für Literaturübersetzungen, 
die zu Mehrsprachigkeit beitragen) und 
besondere Aktivitäten (Kulturhauptstädte 
Europas und Europäische Kulturpreise) 
zur Zusammenarbeit unter kulturellen 
Organisationen, zur Überwindung von 
Grenzen und zur Schaff ung und Umsetzung 
kultureller und künstlerischer Projekte 
beitragen. Die Unterstützung spezieller 
Maßnahmen richtet sich auf die Förderung 
von Veranstaltungen, die Europäer aus allen 
Gesellschaftsschichten ansprechen. Dadurch 
wird die Empfängergruppe europäischer 
Kultur vergrößert und ausgeweitet und 
gleichzeitig ihr Bewusstsein verstärkt, dass 
sie Teil der europäischen Gemeinschaft 
ist. Zwei Beispiele, die in der aktuellen 
Studie zur Kulturwirtschaft behandelt 
werden, zeigen die Reichweite dieser 
Maßnahmen. Die Städte Lille (Frankreich, 
Kulturhauptstadt Europas 2004) und Graz 
(Österreich, Kulturhauptstadt Europas 2003) 
zogen während ihrer Veranstaltungen 
erheblich mehr Besucher an und erreichten 
viele Menschen, die sich üblicherweise nicht 
für Kultur interessieren. Diese Maßnahmen 
fördern auch neue europäische Talente. 
(Auszeichnungen für zeitgenössische 
Architektur und für Musik zielen z. B. darauf 
ab, das öff entliche Bewusstsein für die 
europäische Kultur zu vergrößern.)

2. Unterstützung von kulturellen 
Einrichtungen von europäischem Interesse 
(rund 10 % des Programmbudgets). Dieser 
Aktionsbereich richtet sich an kulturelle 

(1)	http://culturalforum.pt/index.php/site/index/.
(2)	Inventory	of	Community	actions	in	the	fi	eld	of	culture.	

SEK(2007)	570.

(3)	ABl.	L	273	vom	27.	Dezember	2006,	Programm	„Kultur“	
(2007-2013),	http://ec.europa.eu/culture/eac/index_
en.html.

(4)	http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/topics/tele-

coms/index_en.htm.

11

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Institutional touch

Einrichtungen, die bereits auf europäischer 
Ebene agieren oder dies vorhaben. Um 
sich zu qualifizieren, müssen Bewerber 
überzeugend darlegen, dass ihre Arbeit eine 
echte europäische Dimension im Bereich der 
Förderung der Kultur und ihrer Interessen 
besitzt.

3. Unterstützung für Aktivitäten im Bereich 
der Analyse und Verbreitung (rund 5 % des 
Programmbudgets). Dieser Aktionsbereich 
fördert die Sammlung und Untersuchung 
von Ergebnissen sowie deren Auswertung 
in Bezug auf das Programmziel. Die 
Studie zur Kulturwirtschaft zeigt den 
Bedarf an überzeugenden, quantitativen 
Belegen im kulturellen Sektor. Ebenso 
besteht der Bedarf, Informationen über 
das Kulturprogramm unter Künstlern und 
kulturellen Einrichtungen auf eine optimierte 
Art und Weise zu verbreiten. Zu diesem 
Zweck werden in allen teilnehmenden 
Ländern Kulturkontaktstellen (Cultural 
Contact Points) eingerichtet. Diese 
Kulturkontaktstellen werben nicht nur für das 
Programm und machen seine Aktivitäten und 
Finanzierungsmöglichkeiten einer breiten 
Öffentlichkeit bekannt, sondern stehen 
auch Bewerbern zur Seite, die sich für einen 
Zuschuss interessieren.

Förderung der europäischen Literatur

Der kulturelle, bildungserzieherische und 
soziale Gewinn durch Literatur ist bekannt. 
Das Geschichtenerzählen ist ein universeller 
Bestandteil von Kultur; Literatur ist scheinbar 
ein Bedürfnis der ganzen Erdbevölkerung. 
Daher ist es nicht überraschend, dass 
Literatur Kreativität bewirkt, zum 
gegenseitigen Verständnis unter Menschen 
beigetragen und im Laufe der menschlichen 
Evolution einen sozialen Zusammenhalt 
gefördert hat.

Europas berühmter Reichtum an 
hochwertiger Literatur ist ein erheblicher 
kultureller Gewinn, von dem mehr Menschen 
profitieren könnten und sollten. Durch den 
ständig wachsenden Bedarf an Inhalten in 
anderen kreativen Sektoren wie Theater, 
Musik, Film und Fernsehen hat Literatur 
auch das Potenzial, die kreative Produktivität 
und damit unsere Einnahme und 
Ausfuhrmöglichkeiten zu steigern.

Die Belletristik ist bereits ein wichtiger Teil des 
europäischen Verlagswesens: Sie stellt einen 
erheblichen Anteil am kreativen Schaffen und 

am Umsatz dar und trägt zum guten Ruf des 
europäischen Verlagswesens und zu Europas 
Bild als kreativer Kontinent bei.

Andererseits ist die europäische Literatur 
geprägt von einer kulturellen und 
sprachlichen Vielfalt. Studien (1) haben 
ergeben, dass Lesermuster sich in Europa 
von Land zu Land unterscheiden, dass die 
Sprache manchmal die grenzüberschreitende 
Verbreitung von Büchern beschränkt und dass 
der Markt nicht einheitlich ist. Und obwohl 
Europas Beitrag zur Weltliteratur weitläufig 
bekannt ist, bleibt ein wesentlicher Teil der 
zeitgenössischen europäischen Belletristik 
innerhalb der nationalen Grenzen; dabei 
könnte sie ein viel größeres Marktpotenzial 
ausschöpfen und den größeren 
– internationalen – Erfolg ernten, den sie 
verdient.

Das Kulturprogramm fördert bereits 
die länderübergreifende Verbreitung 
von literarischen Werken durch 
Übersetzungszuschüsse. Der Austausch mit 
Interessengruppen hat jedoch ergeben, 
dass weitere Werbemaßnahmen auf 
europäischer Ebene vonnöten sind, um das 
öffentliche Interesse an zeitgenössischer 
europäischer Kultur zu vergrößern und 
grenzüberschreitende Aktivitäten in diesem 
Bereich zu fördern.

Die Europäische Union trägt bereits 
durch die Verleihung europäischer 
Kulturauszeichnungen zur Bildung eines 
Bewusstseins für zeitgenössische Architektur, 
kulturelles Erbe und Musik bei. Auf der 
Grundlage der Erfahrung der Europäischen 
Union auf diesem Gebiet wurde dieses 
Jahr entschieden, einen neuen Preis für 
zeitgenössische Literatur auszuschreiben.

Die Aufforderung zur Einreichung von 
Vorschlägen für einen jährlich zu vergebenden 
Literaturpreis der Europäischen Union wurde 
im Juli veröffentlicht (2). Ziel ist es, eine 
Einrichtung zu finden, die die Verleihung 
des Literaturpreises der Europäischen Union 
im Jahr 2008 organisieren kann. Falls die 
erste Preisverleihung erfolgreich verläuft, 
könnte die gewählte Einrichtung ebenso die 
Organisation der folgenden Preisverleihungen 
(2009-2013) oder nach Absprache die 
Organisation auf einer jährlichen Basis 
übernehmen.

a) Sie wählt neue europäische Talente auf 
dem Gebiet der zeitgenössischen Belletristik 
aus allen am Kulturprogramm teilnehmenden 
Ländern aus und wirbt für diese in anderen 
Ländern als ihrem Herkunftsland. (Der Preis 
besteht aus einem einmalig geleisteten 
Geldbetrag.)

b) Sie wählt eine anerkannte Persönlichkeit 
der europäischen Literatur aus, die die Rolle 
eines Botschafters für diesen Preis einnimmt. 
Die Aufgabe des Botschafters ist es, die 
neuen Talente zu begleiten und zu fördern. 
(Der Botschafter empfängt ebenfalls einen 
einmalig geleisteten Geldbetrag.) Er muss 
bereit sein, bei großen Veranstaltungen 
für die neuen Talente zu werben, z. B. bei 
der Preisverleihungszeremonie und bei 
bestimmten wichtigen Veranstaltungen zur 
Präsentation von Literatur wie Festivals und 
Messen.

c) Sie organisiert die Preisverleihungs-
zeremonie, um die Gewinner der Öffentlichkeit 
zu präsentieren und die europäische 
Dimension zu betonen.

Organisationen, die sich bewerben, müssen 
Erfolge auf dem Gebiet der europäischen 
Literatur nachweisen können. Sie müssen den 
Experten, die die Organisation auswählen, ihre 
Fähigkeit, solch ein Projekt zu leiten und die 
für den Projekterfolg nötige Unterstützung 
zu organisieren, überzeugend darlegen. 
In die Bewertung fließen vor allem der 
Kommunikationsplan und die Fähigkeit 
der Bewerberorganisation ein, sowohl die 
Preisträger als auch die Preisverleihung selbst 
öffentlich bekannt zu machen.

Bewerbungsschluss für die Organisation des 
Preises 2008 ist der 12. Oktober 2007.

Weitere Informationen über die Mitteilung 
über eine europäische Kulturagenda im 
Zeichen der Globalisierung der Europäischen 
Kommission, das Kulturprogramm 007-
01 und die Aufforderung zur Einreichung 
von Vorschlägen für einen jährlich zu 
vergebenden Literaturpreis der Europäischen 
Union finden Sie auf der Website der 
Kommission:

http://ec.europa.eu/youth/index_en.html.

Artikel freundlicherweise von der 
Generaldirektion Bildung und Kultur  zur 
Verfügung gestellt.  n

Die ausgewählte Einrichtung hat drei 
Hauptaufgaben:

(1)	KEA	European	Affairs	(2006).
(2)	ABl.	C	163	vom	17.	Juli	2007.

 1

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ePSIplus project looks at standards 
for reuse of public sector information (PSI)

PSI management

The PSI management segment of the 
meeting examined and compared how PSI is 
being managed in two countries: Germany 
(where there is little federal coordination of 
PSI) and the United Kingdom (where OPSI is 
tasked to coordinate the reuse of PSI).

A presentation from local government 
illustrated the problems that this sector has 
in attempting to compile comprehensive 
PSI asset registers. Above all there was a 
lack of awareness of the potential of PSI 
reuse, making it diffi  cult to persuade local 
government to allocate resources to building 
asset registries rather than vote-winning 
public services.

PSI standards

The importance of identifi er and metadata 
standards was the central topic of the 
meeting and ran through all the strands. 
Following a presentation of the work of 
the CEN/ISSS eGovernment Focus Group, 
which aims to identify potential standards 
relevant for e-government and defi ne 

ePSIplus is a thematic network, funded by 
the European Commission’s eContentplus 
programme, to support the implementation 
of the European directive on public sector 
information (PSI) reuse in the period leading 
up to its review in 2008. The project aims to 
provide a one-stop shop for key information 
on PSI reuse across Europe including 
news, reports, legal cases, good practices 
and benchmarking on the progress of 
legislation.

The ePSIplus portal (http://www.epsiplus.
net) provides access to a wide range of 
knowledge emerging in this fi eld, across all 
EU Member States, of key interest to public- 
and private-sector stakeholders, together 
with an opportunity to engage in debate on 
key issues.

The work of the ePSIplus network focuses 
on fi ve major themes. These themes, 
refl ecting the work of the ePSIplus network 
and the network’s view of the future agenda 
for PSI reuse, are:

> law and regulation,
> public-sector culture,
> psi reuse business,
> fi nancial impact,
> management, standards and data quality.

On 5 July 2007, London hosted the 
fi rst thematic meeting on information 
management standards and data quality. 
The meeting was attended by 50 experts 
from 13 European countries and was 
chaired by David Worlock, a member of 
the UK Advisory Panel on PSI and Chair of 
the Digital Content Forum’s Government 
Information Industry Action Group, who 
also gave the keynote address.

criteria for measuring their usefulness, 
Serge Brack, Head of Unit at the Publications 
Offi  ce, explained why unique and persistent 
identifi cation at various levels of granularity 
were essential for the management and 
operation of such a repository of PSI. He 
explained why the Publications Offi  ce had 
selected the digital object identifi er (DOI), 
used in conjunction with the ISBN and other 
appropriate content identifi ers, as their 
standard identifi er for digital documents.

Mark Bide of Rightscom presented the 
Automated Content Access Protocol 
(ACAP) project, working on behalf of book, 
newspaper and magazine publishers and 
their trade bodies to develop standards for 
the expression of access and usage terms in 
a form that can be automatically recognised 
and interpreted. The project’s applications 
for PSI usage terms were clear and, indeed, 
OPSI were already members.

PSI quality

The fi nal session was devoted to the issue 
of quality, the relative roles of the public 
and private sectors in assuring such 
quality, and the mechanisms that might 
be employed to ensure and improve its 
fi tness for use. Presentations from the spatial 
and legal information areas highlighted 
the hugely variable quality of PSI and the 
lack of standards for its presentation. Data 
quality was now improving and this made 
commercial reuse more viable.

Presentations and a more detailed report of 
the meeting can be found on the ePSIplus 
website (http://www.epsiplus.net/epsiplus/
events/thematic_meetings/information_
standards/ 

n

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Institutional touch

Europe’s digital library 
experts meet to discuss 
copyright strategies

The EU’s High Level Expert Group 
on Digital Libraries presented an 
advisory report on copyright issues 
to the European Commission on 18 
April 2007.

The High Level Expert Group on Digital 

Libraries (HLG) was founded last year 
by Viviane Reding, the EU’s Commissioner 
for the Information Society and Media, as 
part of the European Commission’s efforts 
to make Europe’s rich cultural and scientific 
heritage available online. For this purpose, 
the group advises the Commission on issues 
regarding digitisation, online accessibility 
and digital preservation of cultural material. 
The group includes, inter alia, stakeholders 
from the British Library, the Deutsche 
Nationalbibliothek, the Federation of 
European Publishers and Google. 

‘I will look with great interest into the 
recommendations made by the high level 
group to see in which way the European 
Commission, the Member States and the 
relevant stakeholders could best follow them 
up,’ said Viviane Reding.

The report on copyright presented by the 
digital library experts tackles principal issues 
such as digital preservation, orphan and out-
of-print works.

For example, the group acknowledges that 
digitisation may in some cases be the only 
means of ensuring that cultural material will 
be available for future generations. 

In the case of orphan works, where 
rightholders cannot be identified or located, 
agreed solutions could support libraries, 
museums and archives to better exploit 
the benefits of information technology 
to carry out their preservation and 
dissemination mandates. In their response 

to the Commission’s online consultation 
in 2006, the British Library indicated that it 
spends a vast amount of time dealing with 
permissions, and in many instances does not 
even start the permissions process as the 
rightholders are either unidentifiable or too 
many to make the process effective.

The group recommends fulfilling certain 
commonly accepted core principles, though 
solutions may be different. ‘The Member 
States are encouraged to recognise solutions 
in other Member States that fulfil prescribed 
criteria, in order to achieve the cross-border 
effect needed in the digital library initiative. 
As a result, material that can be lawfully used 
in one Member State can also be legally used 
in another.’

Regarding works out of print, a solution is 
required to facilitate the digitisation and 
the making available of these works by 
libraries, according to the interim report 
of 16 October 2006 from the Copyright 
Subgroup. Also a definition of the works 
out of print was established as follows: 
‘work that is not commercially available, as 
declared by the appropriate rightholders, 
regardless of the existence of tangible copies 
of the work as normally understood’. A 
solution was proposed, based on four main 
aspects: a model licence, the establishment 

of a database of out-of-print works, a joint 
clearance centre, and a procedure to clear 
rights.

The expert group also will open the debate 
on how best to promote and to make use 
of public–private cooperation and private 
sponsorship for the digitisation of Europe’s 
cultural heritage.

Also, the group has worked on scientific 
information over recent months to bring closer 
together the views of traditional scientific 
publishers and those of the science world 
supportive of the open access movement. As 
a major body funding scientific research in 
Europe, the European Commission intends to 
take direct action to experiment publishing of 
scientific articles resulting from Community 
funded research, in an open repository, after 
an embargo period still to be defined.

The ‘Report on digital preservation, orphan 
works and out-of-print works — Selected 
implementation issues’ of the High Level 
Expert Group on Digital Libraries is published 
on the Commission’s digital libraries website 
(http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/
newsroom/cf/itemlongdetail.cfm?item_
id=3366). 

n

Background
European	digital	libraries	is	one	of	the	
flagship	initiatives	of	Commissioner	
Reding’s	‘i2010	—	a	European	information	
society	for	growth	and	jobs’	initiative,	
adopted	by	the	Commission	on	1	June	2005.

On	25	August	2006,	the	Commission	
adopted	a	recommendation	on	digitisation	
and	digital	preservation	which	urged	
EU	Member	States	to	set	up	large-scale	
digitisation	facilities,	so	as	to	accelerate	the	
process	of	getting	Europe’s	cultural	heritage	
online	via	the	European	digital	library.

In	February	2007,	the	Commission	adopted	
a	communication	on	‘Scientific	information	
in	the	digital	age:	access,	dissemination	
and	preservation’	to	examine	and	support	
new	ways	of	promoting	better	access	
to	scientific	information online and to 
preserve research results digitally for future 
generations.

Source: Europa website, press release IP/07/508.

 14

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German Parliament supports open access and publishers

The Bundesrat, Germany’s second 
parliamentary chamber, has agreed a
resolution addressing the issue of 
open access and scientifi c publishing

The International Publishers’ Association 
(IPA) welcomes the statement by the 
Bundesrat. Says IPA Secretary General Jens 
Bammel: ‘IPA appreciates the balanced 
arguments and constructive tone chosen 
by the Bundesrat. Open access is a great 
opportunity which must be explored. At the 
same time care must be taken that we do 
not lose what is in fact working so well in 
other business models. This debate should 
be conducted in a measured way, based 
on sound arguments and empirical facts 
refl ecting the high standards of academic 
debate in the journals themselves. The 
Bundesrat statement is a welcome 
contribution to this debate.’

Adds Jens Bammel: ‘The principle must 
be that business models for publishing 
scientifi c information should not be 
mandated by governments but should 
prove their own value and sustainability in 
the marketplace, and [that] researchers [...] 
freely choose the most appropriate journal 
n
for each article.’ 

Source: International Publishers Association, 
press release, 24 May 2007.

At a meeting in May 2007 the Bundesrat 

took a detailed position on open access.

Responding to a communication, from the 
EU Commission, on scientifi c information in 
the digital age the statement welcomes the 
call for the freest possible, immediate and 
open access to information.

At the same time, the Bundesrat emphasises 
the central role of publishers in the scientifi c 
information system. The statement 
acknowledges the open access experiments 
pursued by publishers.

‘Publishers, and particularly the scientifi c 
journals they publish, play a pivotal role 
in the scientifi c information system.’ The 
resolution continues ‘Over the past years, 
the publishing industry has undertaken 
substantial investments in the area of 
“online publishing”, thereby already 
contributing to an effi  cient dissemination 
of information. In doing this, publishers 
constantly compete for authors and readers. 
This ultimately guarantees the high quality 
of scientifi c publications.’

‘The Bundesrat regards open access 
publication as an additional method of 
knowledge dissemination, in particular with 
regard to research results. However, the 
Bundesrat also points out that open access 
does not avoid the costs of knowledge 
processing and knowledge transfer, but 
rather shifts them from the users to the 
authors; [...] there are also reasons in favour 
of publishing scientifi c publications through 
a publisher.’

inforum 2/2007

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Austria

Belgium

Denmark

Finland

France

Country Profi le

Germany

Greece

Italy

Ireland

Luxembourg

Spanish publishing — 
an overview

                   Spain: some key data

Netherlands

The following article gives 
Portugal
an overview of the Spanish 
publishing industry through a 
brief digest of recent data and 
main trends. 
The fi gures are based on 
annual studies carried out 
by the Spanish Federation of 
Publishers’ Associations and on 
data published by the Spanish 
National Statistic Institute (INE) 
and the Ministry of Culture.

Cyprus

Czech Rep.

Lithuania

The publishing industry in Spain is the 

third largest in Europe, after the United 
Kingdom and Germany. It is characterised 
by a rich cultural and linguistic market and 
is polarised mainly between Madrid and 
Barcelona.

Malta

UK

Sweden

Spain
Capital: Madrid
Population: 44.7 million 
inhabitants 
(offi  cial fi gure, 2007)
Area: 505 988 km2 
(195 363 square miles)
Languages: 
Castilian Spanish (offi  cial) 
74 %, Catalan 17 %, 
Estonia
Galician 7 %, 
Basque 2 %, (offi  cial regionally)
Government: parliamentary monarchy
Head of State: King Juan Carlos I 
(since 22 November 1975)
Prime Minister: Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero (since 17 April 2004)
Currency: euro
Major cities: Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville.
Poland
Slovakia
Member of international organisations: CERN, EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, 
FAO, IAEA, IMF, Interpol, NATO, OECD, UN, Unesco, WIPO, WTO, etc. 

Hungary

Slovenia

Letonia

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It boasts a number of high-profi le events. 
These include the annual international trade 
show LIBER, a range of literary prizes, ‘Día del 
libro’ on 23 April and the Open Air Madrid 
Book Fair. This year, Spain was the ‘Market 
focus country’ at the London Book Fair in 
April, and the Catalan culture is the guest of 
honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2007.

Romania

Bulgaria

Production and sale

The trend in the number of titles edited in 
2006 shows an increase in comparison to the 
previous year but a decrease in the number 
of copies. The total is based on statistics 

Table 1: Book production and sales — Main data

Total number of published titles, including 
reprints (ﬁ led at the National Library)

books

leaﬂ ets

reprints

2006

85 876

56 735

9 535

19 606

Number of published copies 

225 721 million

Variation 2005/06 (%)

+ 4.3

+ 6.7

– 8.3

– 9

Source: INE (Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas), 2007.

Number of published commercial titles 

Number of sold copies 

68 930

228.22 million

Turnover (domestic market)

EUR 3 014.54 million

Average price

EUR 13.2

– 1

– 1

+ 2.8

+3 

Source: Spanish Federation of Publishers’ Associations, 2007.

carried out by the INE, which takes into 
account non-periodical publications printed 
and published, except for publicity, musical 
work and cartographic production. However, 
a small decrease is registered for marketable 
books, as shown in the Spanish Federation 
of Publishers’ Association’s statistics, which 
take into account only those books sold on 
the market and exclude books edited by the 
public sector, doctoral theses and authors–
publishers. 

Along with printed works, in 2006, 25.1 % 
of publishing houses used diff erent media 
than paper, employing CD-ROM/CD-I, DVD 
and the Internet. While the turnover from 
the publishing through electronic media 
has increased in recent years, the number 
of companies publishing in this sector 
is decreasing. In fact, in 2006, electronic 
publishing production decreased 18.5 % 
compared with the previous year.

 16

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Three subjects that continue to attract the 
highest number of titles published in 2006 
are non-academic texts, literature and 
children’s/teenagers’ books. Together, they 
total around 60 % of the revenue classified 
by subject. 

The publishing sector is marked by the 
diversity of languages spoken in Spain. 
Almost 80 % of the books published in Spain 
are written in Spanish, followed by Catalan, 
Valenciano and Balear (11.7 %), Galician 
(2.1 %), Basque (1.5 %) and other national 
languages (1 %). The production of titles in 
each of these languages is centred in the 
regions where these languages are spoken.

As for foreign languages, English and 
Portuguese are the most published (46 % 
and 28.9 % respectively). Finally, translated 
titles represent 16.4 % of publishing 
activity, with titles translated from English 
representing the majority of those (12 %).

©
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Table 2: Distribution of publishing by publication language  
and translation, quarterly figures

Publication language

ISBNs registered per quarter 

Spanish

Catalan

Basque

Galician

Valenciano

Other Spanish languages

Foreign languages

Multilingual

English

Portuguese

French

Italian

German

Others

Total

January to 
March 2007

October to 
December 
2006

July to 
September  
2006

April to June 
2006

January to 
March  
2006

15 855

1 980

15 356

2 095

10 274

1 778

16 244

2 456

16 557

2 080

373

536

241

11

730

313

182

133

103

48

33

304

420

272

7

717

397

179

96

117

30

39

394

206

196

19

477

318

130

87

21

34

25

315

662

229

15

809

376

267

124

42

38

46

404

516

166

11

687

382

206

157

50

73

61

20 538

20 029

13 959

21 623

21 350

Source: Ministerio de Cultura, 2007. 

In 2006, the average price of a book was 
EUR 13.2. This price was higher than the 
average price per copy for specific books 
such as dictionaries/ encyclopaedias, 
social sciences and humanities, scientific–
technical and university books, general 
culture and non-academic texts. Conversely, 
it was lower for categories such as literature, 
comics and children’s books.

Book sales through various commercial 
channels are related to changes in 
the purchasing habits of the Spanish 
population: bookshop chains as well as 
newspaper stands are gaining ground while 
bookshops are losing their traditional role 
as the main channel of distribution.

Spanish publishing also features a dynamic 
international dimension. Of 64 subsidiaries 
abroad:

> 84 % are in South America,
> 10 % are in the rest of Europe,
> 6 % are spread across other continents.

The set up of subsidiaries, and Spanish 
being one of the four most spoken 

Graphic 1: Turnover, market quota 
(%), publishers’ associations (2006) 
(domestic market)

0.9 % 1.6 %

40.6 %

1 %

2.6 %

53.2 %

Andalusia

Region of Valencia

Galicia

Madrid

The Basque Country

Catalonia

Source: Spanish Federation of Publishers’ Associations, 2007.

Sale 

In 2006, the turnover from book sales in the 
domestic market was EUR 3 014.54 million 
(calculated at cover prices, VAT included), 
2.8 % more than in 2005. As many as 69 000 
titles were published and 228.22 million 
books were sold.

The publishing market is traditionally 
concentrated around Madrid and Catalonia. 
Both regions together produce around 70 % 
of titles and 90 % of the total turnover. As 
shown in Graph 1, the other regions follow 
with a significantly lower percentage as 
regards the turnover market quota.

inforum 2/2007

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Country Profile

Country profile

languages in the world, means that the 
foreign book trade plays an important role 
in the trade figures.

Europe is the biggest market for Spanish 
books, with France being the main 
importer followed by the United Kingdom 
and Mexico. The countries exporting the 
greatest quantities of books to Spain are 
also in Europe, with the United Kingdom, 
France and Germany being the leaders.

Table 3: Evolution of export figures for the book sector 

2005

2006

Variation 2005/06

Amounts registered 
until September

Amounts registered 
until September

(%)

(1 000 EUR)

Total (editorial and graphic)

USA

Latin America

European Union

Rest of Europe

Non-European Mediterranean countries

Rest of the world 

13 936

105 072

200 900

3 951

4 190

6 142

334 191

14 452

91 426

178 165

1 901

1 870

4 838

292 652

3.70 

– 12.99 

– 11.32 

– 51.89 

– 55.37 

– 21.23 

– 12.43 

Table 4: Evolution of imports for the book sector

2005

2006

Variation 2005/06

(1 000 EUR)

Amounts registered 
until September

Amounts registered 
until September

USA

Latin America

European Union

Rest of Europe

Non-European Mediterranean countries

Rest of the world 

949

825

70 420

266

7

125

72 592

845

221

48 978

255

3

277

50 579

(%)

– 10.96 

– 73.21 

– 30.45 

– 4.14 

– 57.14 

121.60 

– 30.32 

© Phovoir

Readers

The main reason why Spanish people read 
a book is for entertainment (9 out of 10 
people). Reading levels increase during the 
holidays; women and people aged 25 to 
54 years, in particular, read more on non-
working days.

Spain ranks among the countries in 
Europe with the fewest readers among its 
population. 

When asked ‘Why don’t you read more 
often?’ the surveyed population gave the 
following answers: 

> lack of time: 62.0 %,
> prefer other kinds of entertainment: 25.6 %,
> don’t like reading: 12.8 %,
> others: 10.3 %.

According to the ‘Reading habits and 
book purchases in 2006’ study, published 
by the Spanish Federation of Publishers´ 
Associations, Spanish people read on 
average eight books per year. The study 
shows that citizens who frequently read 
books also dedicate more time to cultural 
activities, such as browsing the Internet, 
reading newspapers and magazines or 
writing. The study also reveals interesting 
characteristics of Spanish readership, as 
shown below.

Source: Federación Española de Cámaras del Libro, 2006. 

responds to young academically qualified 
people living in large towns or cities. Non-
readers are 55 years of age or over, with 
primary school qualifications or lower, living 
in towns with less than 50 000 inhabitants.

Women read more than men: 59.6 % of 
women as against 51.4 % of men.

Literature is the category that most 
interests the population, followed by 
humanities and social sciences, practical 
books, children/teenagers, scientific–
technical, medicine, and biology.

The Spanish language is the most 
common for  reading, followed by Catalan, 
English, Valenciano, French, Galician and 
Basque.

But at the same time, almost three out of 
four surveyed citizens admitted they would 
like to dedicate more time to reading books. 

Reading is more popular in large centres 
and with a higher education profile: 
The typical profile of the Spanish reader 

As regards the purchasing of books, a 
survey carried out in March 2007 by the 
Centre for Sociology Research (CIS) revealed 

 1

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that around 50 % of the Spanish population 
considered books very expensive.

According to the same survey, 63 % agree 
with buying books, music and videos on the 
Internet at a cheaper price than that fi xed in 
shops. Almost half the surveyed population 
consider that the best measure to control 
and eliminate the illegal copying of books 
(also CDs and DVDs) on the market would 
be to reduce prices.

Bookshops are for 73.1 % of the readers the 
preferred place to acquire books. In large 
cities, department stores and bookshops 
chains are also relatively popular, as are 
hypermarkets and book clubs in villages. 
Although the percentage has increased in 
the past years, only 0.9 % of purchases are 
made via the Internet.

Public actions

The Ministry of Culture in Spain together 
with the autonomous communities 
promotes initiatives aimed at fostering 
reading, book distribution and literature, 
as well as collaborating with the main 
representatives of the publishing sector.

The lines of actions carried out by the 
Ministry of Culture can be divided into three 
broad groups.

> Promotion of books, in collaboration 
with various publishers’ federations: For 
this, it conducts a follow-up of the book 
sector through databases maintained by 
the Spanish ISBN Agency and through 
studies and reports. It also grants subsidies 
to support publications and translations, 
carries out exhibitions and participates in 
fairs, forums and international bodies.

> Promotion of Spanish literature, by 
granting national awards to the most 
outstanding Spanish authors: The Miguel 
de Cervantes Prize is one of the best 
known. Other important prizes in the  
fi eld of literature are the Premio Príncipe 
de Asturias de las Letras, Premio Planeta 
and Premio Nadal, the latter two being 
organised by private publishing houses. 

> Promotion of reading, through reading 
campaigns, by subsidising the promotion 

of reading initiatives and by developing 
programmes for children. One of the main 
aims of the ‘Promotion of reading plan 
2004–08’ is to promote reading among 
the general public. ‘Books on the road’ 
and ‘María Moliner’ are two examples 
of such initiatives, one advertising in 
public transport, the other targeting the 
populations of small towns.

Moreover, a new law has recently been 
approved on reading, book and libraries 
(Ley 10/2007, de 22 de junio, de la lectura, 
del libro y de las bibliotecas). It lays 
down regulations on price, libraries and 
copyright and aims to promote reading 
and the book industry. It also gives the 
book a new defi nition in view of the recent 
developments in technology: together with 
the traditional printed items, electronic 
books as well as those distributed via the 
Internet are, for the fi rst time, considered as 
a book.

According to the law, prices will be fi xed 
in advance when published or imported, 
except in the case of textbooks and 
didactic material. It replaces the system 
of free discounts approved in 2000 which 
could reach as high as 25 %. Publishers, 
booksellers and distributors have welcomed 
this decision, which helps to avoid unfair 
competition from large book chains and 
groups.

In addition, public libraries will be required 
to pay EUR 0.20 per book purchased, 
regardless of the number of times it is 
lent out. This tax will be supported by the 
central and regional administration and will 
be applicable to all public libraries except 
those within the Spanish educational 
system and libraries located in towns with 
under 5 000 inhabitants.

The obligation for public libraries to 
remunerate the copyright-holders has been 
added in the fi nal disposition of the law as 
a result of the Judgement of the Court of 26 
October 2006 (Commission of the European 
Communities v Kingdom of Spain (Case C-
36/05)), for not applying Council Directive 
92/100/EEC of 19 November 1992 on rental 
right and on lending right and on certain 
rights related to copyright in the fi eld of 
intellectual property.

Books on the road

Launched	in	1997,	‘Books	on	the	road’	
is	a	reading	campaign	advertised	in	
public	transport,	thus	targeting	the	
daily	commuters	and	travellers	in	trains,	
the	metro	or	buses.	Posters	containing	
pictures	and	texts	of	poetry,	literature	and	
theatre	of	diff	erent	modern	and	classic	
authors	are	placed	in	public	transport	to	
help	attract	the	attention	of	passengers.

Th	 is	initiative	is	promoted	by	the	
Publishers	Association	of	Madrid	and	
the	Federation	of	Booksellers	of	Madrid,	
sponsored	by	CEDRO	(Spanish	Copyright	
Centre)	in	collaboration	with	the	
Transports	Association,	Metro	of	Madrid,	
Local	Company	Transports,	RENFE	
Cercanías,	the	City	Council	of	Madrid,	
the	Regional	Government	of	Madrid	and	
the	Ministry	of	Culture.	

María Moliner

Th	 e	‘María	Moliner’	reading	campaign	
was	organised	for	the	fi	rst	time	in	1998	
and	targets	cities	with	a	population	of	
under	50	000	inhabitants.	It	awards	those	
libraries	which	have	presented	the	best	
projects	for	promoting	reading,	aimed	
especially	at	children	and	youth.

It	is	organised	annually	in	collaboration	
with	the	Ministry	of	Culture	and	the	
Spanish	Federation	of	Municipalities	
and	Provinces	and,	since	2002,	also	
in	collaboration	with	Coca-Cola	
Foundation	Spain.

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Country Profile

Finally, the creation of a new body, the 
Observatorio de la Lectura y del Libro, is 
committed to permanently monitor the 
state of affairs regarding books, reading 
and libraries. It is also in charge of fostering 
collaboration with other institutions, acting 
as a consultant, and drawing up reports, 
studies or proposals in this field. 

Despite this, publishers (1) would like to see 
more action such as zero-rate VAT on books, 
reading campaigns with a greater impact on 
the educational system, and not only those 
focused on reading literature. 

Publishing companies

Publishing companies can be divided 
into three main categories, based on their 
annual turnover:

> large publishing houses: with a turnover 
between EUR 18 million and EUR 60 million;
> medium-sized publishing houses: 
between EUR 2.4 million and EUR 18 million;
> small publishing houses: less than EUR 2.4 
million.

DILVE	(information	distributor	of	
Spanish	books	for	sale)	is	a	technical	
service	that	has	been	available	from	
the	Spanish	Federation	of	Publishers’	
Associations	and	the	Fundación	
Germán	Sánchez	Ruipérez	since	2006.

It	is	based	online	and	offers	a	rapid	
exchange	of	information	on	Spanish	
books.

It	is	a	means	of	circulating	and	
accessing	information	on	books,	
and	offers	an	efficient	and	simplified	
method	of	requesting	ISBN	numbers,	
thanks	to	cooperation	between	DILVE	
and	the	ISBN	Spanish	agency.

Further	information	can	be	found	on	
the	Internet	(www.dilve.es).

(1)	Survey	with	Spanish	members	of	the	EU	Publishers’	Forum.	

 0

List of the 50 main publishing houses in Spain (2005)

Publishing houses

Number of ISBNs 
registered

Number of titles 
registered

1. Anaya
2. Círculo de Lectores SA
3. Editorial Vicens-Vives SA
4. Harlequín Ibérica SA
5. Publicep Libros Digitales SL
6. Planeta-De Agostini
7. Editorial Everest SA
8. Ediciones B SA
9. Alianza Editorial SA
10. Edebé
11. Editorial Bruño
12. Editorial Luis Vives SA (Edelvives)
13. Editorial Mad SL
14. Centro Nacional de Información Geográfica
15. Nuevas Ediciones de Bolsillo
16. Norma Editorial SA
17. La Galera SA Editorial
18. Susaeta Ediciones SA
19. Xunta de Galicia
20. Editorial Planeta SA
21. Elkarlanean SL Argitaletxea
22. Linkgua Ediciones SL
23. Espasa-Calpe SA
24. Editorial Teide SA
25. Entitat Autònoma del Diari Oficial i Publicacions de Catalunya 
26. Todolibro Ediciones SA
27. Editorial Barcanova SA
28. Ediciones Alfaguara
29. Ediciones Glenat España SL
30. Editorial Escudo de Oro SA
31. Enciclopèdia Catalana SA 
32. Oxford University Press España SA
33. Editorial Anagrama SA 
34. Ediciones SM
35. McGraw-Hill/Interamericana de España SA
36. Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia
37. Edicions Proa SA
38. Editorial Casals SA 
39. Generalitat Valenciana
40. Ediciones Paidós Ibérica SA
41. Editorial Cruïlla SA 
42. Santillana SL
43. Edhasa
44. Librería Tirant lo Blanch SL
45. Pearson Alhambra
46. Ediciones Beascoa SA
47. Ediciones Baula
48.
49. Galaxia Gutenberg
50. Edicions 62 SA

Ideaspropias Editorial

1 841
1 613
1 258
1 092
811
798
788
751
747
732
722
716
664
647
617
566
543
542
528
526
509
502
499
485
476
447
413
395
365
354
338
338
319
316
306
296
289
269
267
263
242
241
241
240
239
235
230
221
219
217

1 837
1 581
1 258
1 092
657
201
719
716
708
724
674
711
592
647
611
566
543
542
524
454
410
497
427
485
474
447
408
378
136
335
225
338
319
313
294
259
286
269
257
263
242
241
231
234
239
235
230
209
176
187

Source: Ministerio de Cultura, 2006.

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Around 90 % of commercialised Spanish 
production, accounting for practically the 
whole private publishing sector, comes 
from slightly more than 700 companies who 
are part of the eight publishers’ associations 
making up the Spanish Federation of 
Publishers’ Associations:

1. Gremi d’Editors de Catalunya (92 
members),
2. Associació d’Editors en Llengua Catalana 
(Aellec) (255 members),
3. Gremio de Editores de Madrid (296 
members),
4. Asociación Galega de Editores (41 
members),
5. Gremio de Editores de Euskadi (45 
members),
6. Asociación Española de Editores de Libros 
de Texto y Material de Enseñanza (ANELE) 
(36 members),
7. Asociación de Editores de Andalucía (77 
members),
8. Asociación de Editores del País Valenciá 
(52 members).

According to ISBN data, there are another 
548 private publishing companies, not 
associated to the Spanish Federation, that 
published at least one book during 2005. 
In general, these are small publishing 
houses, author–publishers or companies 
that occasionally publish a book. The public 
sector accounts for approximately 10 % of 
publishing activity.

Written references

■	 Press	release	‘Publishing	activity	statistics	2006’,	Instituto	

Nacional	de	Estadística	(INE	),	2007.

■	 Proyecto	de	Ley	de	la	lectura,	del	libro	y	de	las	bibliotecas	

de	24	de	noviembre	de	2006.

■	 Comercio Interior del Libro en España 2005,	Federación	
de	Gremios	de	Editores	de	España,	Patrocinado	por	el	
Ministerio	de	Cultura,	2006.	

■	 Comercio Interior del Libro en España 2006 (Avance de re-
sultados), Federación	de	Gremios	de	Editores	de	España,	
Patrocinado	por	el	Ministerio	de	Cultura,	2007.

■	 Hábitos de Lectura y Compra de Libros 2006	—	Informe 
metodológico y de resultados,	Federación	de	Gremios	de	
Editores	de	España,	Patrocinado	por	el	Ministerio	de	
Cultura,	2007.	

■	 Estadística 2005 — Panorámica de la edición española de 
libros — Análisis sectorial del libro,	Ministerio	de	Cultura,	
2006.

■	 ‘El	comercio	interior	del	libro	del	2005’,	Boletín Económi-

co de ICE, No	2895, 13–19	November	2006.

■	 Th	 e	world	factbook,	CIA	2007.

Websites

■	 http://www.mcu.es:	Ministerio	de	Cultura
■	 http://www.fedecali.es:	Federación	Española	de	Cámaras	

del	Libro

■	 http://www.federacioneditores.org:	Federación	de	Gre-

mios	de	Editores	de	España

■	 http://www.librosalacalle.com:	Libros	a	la	Calle.	Reading	

campaign

■	 http://www.dilve.es:	Distribuidor	de	Información	del	

Libro	Español	en	Venta	(DILVE)

■	 http://www.frankfurt-book-fair.com:	Frankfurt	Book	Fair
■	 http://www.newspanishbooks.com:	new	Spanish	books
■	 http://www.icex.es:	Instituto	Español	de	Comercio	Exte-

rior	(ICEX)
■	 CIA	website
■	 BBC	News	website,	country	profi	le

Acknowledgement

We	wish	to	thank	the	Ministry	of	Culture,	particularly	the	
department	for	promotion	of	books,	reading	and	literature	
(Subdirección General de Promoción del Libro, de la Lectura 
y de las Letras Españolas) for	its	precious	collaboration.

Spanish book fairs
Name and place

Salón del Libro Iberoamericano de 
Gijón, Gijón

Leer León: Feria Internacional del Libro 
Infantil y Juvenil, León

Date

Website

9 to 14 May 2007

http://www.literastur.es

11 to 16 May 2007

http://www.leerleon.es

Feria del Libro de Madrid, Madrid

25 May to 10 June 2007

http://www.ferialibromadrid.com

LIBER. Feria Internacional del Libro,
Barcelona

Salón Internacional del Libro Teatral
Salamanca

Salón del Libro de Barcelona
Barcelona

Feria del Libro Aragonés
Monzón, (Huesca)

3 to 5 October 2007

http://www.liberbcn.com

November 2007

http://www.aat.es

6 to 11 November 2007

http://www.salollibrebcn.com

6 to 9 December 2007

http://www.ifm.es/libroaragones06

Source: Ministerio de Cultura, 2007.

1

Miguel de Cervantes 
Award

Th	 e	creative	work	of	Spanish	and	
Latin-American	writers	is	recognised	
through	the	Miguel	de	Cervantes	
Award,	a	prize	that	since	1975	has	
been	awarded	to	outstanding	writers	
who	have	contributed	to	Spanish	and	
Spanish-American	culture.

Annually	on	23	April,	the	date	in	
which	Cervantes	died,	Queen	Sofi	a	
and	King	Juan	Carlos	present	the	
coveted	prize	in	the	Paraninfo	of	the	
University	of	Alcalá	de	Henares,	the	
city	where	Miguel	de	Cervantes	was	
born	in	1547.

Some	of	the	most	prestigious	writers	
who	have	won	the	prize	in	the	past	
are	Camilo	José	Cela,	Miguel	Delibes,	
Jorge	Luis	Borges,	Octavio	Paz,	
Francisco	Umbral	and	Rafael	Alberti.	

There are 30 large companies belonging 
to the fi rst category which produce 
around 60 % of the total turnover and are 
represented by six large groups: Planeta, 
Círculo-Plaza, Anaya, Santillana, Océano 
and SM. The rest of the turnover is divided 
among around 700 publishing houses.

But, as pointed out by the executive 
director of the Spanish Federation of 
Publishers’ Associations (1), the publishing 
entrepreneurial structure in Spain is still 
dynamic and competitive, with a large 
number of active players in the sector. And 
in comparison with the European average, 
concentration is still low: In Germany and 
France, for example, 80 % of the turnover is 
produced by only two large groups.

(1)‘El	comercio	interior	del	libro	del	2005’,	Boletín Económico 

de ICE,	No	2895,	13–19	November	2006,	p.	15.

inforum 2/2007

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Country Profi le

How do Spanish people 
perceive Europe?

‘Spain is the country whose citizens show 
the highest level of Europeanism of all the 
Member States… and at all layers of society,’ 
declares José Luis González Vallvé, Head of 
the Commission Representation in Spain, on 
the basis of Eurobarometer surveys.

Indeed, Eurobarometer confi rmed strong 
support for the European Union with 65 % 
of surveyed citizens in favour of future 
development of the EU and only 13 % 
against. The positive attitude towards 
European integration was clearly shown 
during the referendum on the Treaty 
establishing a Constitution for Europe, 
carried out in Spain on 20 February 2005 
and resulting in 76 % of the population 
voting in favour. 

Also, a study carried out in 2006 (1) for 
the 20th anniversary of membership 
of the European Union revealed that 

I❤EU !

National results
Ireland
Luxembourg
Italy
Spain
Cyprus
Greece
Lithuania
Slovenia
Portugal
Poland
Belgium
France
Malta
EU (25)
Slovakia
Netherlands
Denmark
Germany
Czech Republic
Hungary
Estonia
Sweden
Latvia
United Kingdom
Finland
Austria

Other countries
Romania
Turkey
Bulgaria
Croatia

Question: In general, do you have a positive, very positive, quite 
positive, neutral or negative image about the European Union?
Answer: Very positive — Quite positive.

Map captions

Source: ‘Informe nacional España’, 
Eurobarometer, 64.2, October 2005.

61.5 % of citizens considered that joining 
the European Union had been overall 
favourable to the country, and 62.8 % 
thought it had been particularly positive for 
the modernisation of Spanish society. 

Spanish, and only 5.7 % of them felt fi rstly 
European. On being asked ‘How do you 
see yourself in the immediate future?’, just 
29.8 % said that they will feel only Spanish, 
in comparison to 55.2 % who felt they 
would be both Spanish and European.

The study also revealed that:

(a) among the European institutions, the 
Spanish found the most popular, in order of 
appreciation, the European Parliament, the 
European Commission and the Council of 
Ministers of the EU;

(b) with regard to citizenship, 31.8 % of the 
surveyed population felt themselves to be 
European and Spanish citizens at the same 
time, 52.4 % felt themselves to be mainly 

However, the study revealed that more 
information on Europe was needed, 
with only 30 % of the population feeling 
they had quite a good knowledge of the 
European Union and almost half of the 
Spanish people considered they did not 
know enough about it.

(1)	‘XX	aniversario	ingreso	en	la	Unión	

Europea’,	CIS,	2006

 

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National results

Ireland

Luxembourg

Question: In general, do you have a positive, very positive, quite 

positive, neutral or negative image about the European Union?

Answer: Very positive — Quite positive.

Map captions

Italy

Spain

Cyprus

Greece

Lithuania

Slovenia

Portugal

Poland

Belgium

France

Malta

EU (25)

Slovakia

Hungary

Estonia

Sweden

Latvia

Finland

Austria

Romania

Turkey

Bulgaria

Croatia

Netherlands

Denmark

Germany

Czech Republic

United Kingdom

Source: ‘Informe nacional España’,  

Eurobarometer, 64.2, October 2005.

©
C
o
r
b
i
s

These findings are also confirmed by a 
publishers’ survey (1), according to which, 
Spanish people do not buy or read many 
books on Europe. People take their 
information mostly from official and free 
sources. The most popular European 
subjects are those related to the internal 
market, and industrial, economic and legal 
matters. This is probably due to factors 
such as the common agricultural policy and 
the introduction of the euro, which have 
contributed to increased interest in Europe.

Information campaigns

In order to bring the Spanish citizens closer 
to Europe, some interesting initiatives have 
recently been launched.

One example is the agreement signed by 
the European Commission and TV Transit (2), 
which allows daily news related to European 
issues to be broadcast in the main metro 
stations in Barcelona and Madrid, which are 
used daily by around 2.4 million commuters. 

National results
Netherlands
Greece
Belgium
Sweden
Cyprus
Malta
France
Denmark
Germany
Italy
Finland
EU (25)
Luxembourg
Czech Republic
Poland
Slovenia
Latvia
Slovakia
Estonia
Ireland
United Kingdom
Lithuania
Austria
Spain
Hungary
Portugal

Other countries

Croatia
Romania
Bulgaria
Turkey

Question: The European institutions should make more efforts 
to involve more citizens in European affairs.
Answer: Totally agree — Partially agree 

Map captions

Source: ‘Informe nacional España’,  
Eurobarometer, 64.2, October 2005.

In addition, Europe Direct — Comunidad de 
Madrid, an information centre network that 
provides information related to EU issues, 
produces a programme to keep children 
from 6 to 16 years informed on European 
Union news.

Through the information points located 
inside school libraries in the regions, 
students gain the opportunity to learn more 
about other EU Members States. In 2007, 
30 new educational centres are planned to 
join the libraries network, enabling other 
activities related to European issues, such 
as workshops, cinema sessions and book 
exibitions, to be carried out.  

n

References

■	 Estudio	‘XX	aniversario	ingreso	en	la	Unión	Europea’,	
Centro	de	Investigaciones	Sociológicas	(CIS),	2006.

■	 ‘The	European	citizens	and	the	future	of	Europe’,	

qualitative	study	in	the	25	Member	States,	
Eurobarometer,	2006.

■	 ‘Informe	nacional	España’,	Eurobarometer,	64.2,	

October	2005.

■	 	‘Informe	nacional	España’,	Eurobarometer,	66,	

Opinión	pública	en	la	Unión	Europea,	October	2006.	

(1)	Survey	launched	by	the	European	Publishers’	Forum	

with	its	Spanish	members.

(2)	TV	Transit	is	a	publishing	company	of	Canal	Metro	

Madrid	and	Canal	Metro	Barcelona.

inforum 2/2007



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Forum library

Project proposals

This section of the bulletin is designed to provide 
information on manuscripts and publications available 
for licensing or co-publishing to members of the 
European Union Publishers’ Forum.

Titles are classifi  ed under subject headings. While 
descriptions are generally succinct, additional 
information will be provided on request.

Contact: 
forum-info@publications.europa.eu

Proposals coming directly from publishers are 
welcome. Titles on diff  erent fi elds can be found on 
the EU bookshop or Europa websites. It can also be 
searched by the Forum Secretariat at your request.

EU Bookshop (http://bookshop.europa.eu)
EU Bookshop is an online service giving access to 
publications from the EU institutions, agencies and 
other bodies. In addition to the online bookshop, this 
service off ers an online catalogue and archive of all EU 
publications.

Easy Reading Corner (http://ec.europa.eu/
publications/index_en.htm)
Here you will fi nd booklets that explain, as simply 
as possible, what the European Union is and what 
it does, as well as maps, posters and postcards and 
booklets about the EU, for young people.

(cid:573)
Culture

Title: Europe without God? — The European Union and 
the dialogue with religions, churches and communities of conviction 

(cid:573)

Editor: Michael	H.	Weninger
Corporate author:	European	
Commission,	Directorate-General	for	
Education	and	Culture
Language of the manuscript: German
Year: 2007
Manuscript available on: paper	and/or	
electronic	version
Number of pages:	approximately	
395	pp.,	paperback
Target public: General	public	

Content: The book details 
the diffi  culties as well as the 
opportunities for a dialogue with 
religions, churches and communities 
of conviction within the European 
Union. To understand the basic 
conditions for such a policy, 
the analysis off ers fi rst concise 
information about the last 50 years 
of the European integration process. 
It goes on to describe the diff erent 
church–State relationships in the EU 

and the legal basis for and about the 
partners on all sides of such dialogue. 
The Treaty establishing a Constitution 
for Europe is also analysed in the 
context of the necessary dialogue as 
well as the diff erent traditions of Islam 
as a challenge for Europe. Finally, the 
book presents the major concepts 
and main theological aspects for a 
genuine engagement in favour of an 
ever closer Europe by the confessional 
partners.

The publication is the very 
fi rst on this subject and off ers 
comprehensive information. 

(cid:573)

(cid:573)

Research

Title: ITER — Uniting science today — Global energy tomorrow (provisional title) 

Corporate author: European 
Commission, Directorate-General for 
Research
Language of the manuscript: English 
Year: 2007/08
Manuscript available: January 2008
Number of pages: 75
Format: B5
Target public: general public 

ITER is bringing together nations, 
Content: With the agreement 
(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:34)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:87)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:70)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:80)(cid:71)(cid:1)(cid:85)(cid:73)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:38)(cid:86)(cid:83)(cid:80)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:1)(cid:54)(cid:79)(cid:74)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:1)
representing in total more than half 
to build the international ITER 
(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:34)(cid:72)(cid:83)(cid:74)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:77)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:83)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:14)(cid:1)(cid:39)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:70)(cid:84)(cid:85)(cid:83)(cid:90)(cid:1)(cid:14)(cid:1)(cid:39)(cid:74)(cid:84)(cid:73)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:74)(cid:70)(cid:84)(cid:1)
the world’s population, to cooperate 
experimental fusion reactor in 
(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:38)(cid:68)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:80)(cid:78)(cid:90)(cid:1)(cid:14)(cid:1)(cid:39)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:14)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:1)
in the development of this major 
Europe, the EU is to host one of 
(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:38)(cid:79)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:72)(cid:90)(cid:1)(cid:14)
new technology that will be of 
the largest scientifi c undertakings 
(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:38)(cid:79)(cid:87)(cid:74)(cid:83)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:78)(cid:70)(cid:79)(cid:85)(cid:1)(cid:14)(cid:1)(cid:38)(cid:68)(cid:80)(cid:77)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:90)(cid:1)(cid:1)
potential benefi t to all. By hosting 
ever conceived by humanity. The 
(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:38)(cid:89)(cid:85)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:79)(cid:66)(cid:77)(cid:1)(cid:83)(cid:70)(cid:77)(cid:66)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:14)(cid:1)(cid:1)
ITER, the EU exercises a special 
ITER site at Cadarache, in southern 
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responsibility at the forefront of 
France, will become the focus of 
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fusion research.
world research on fusion energy. 
(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:45)(cid:66)(cid:88)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:69)(cid:1)(cid:75)(cid:86)(cid:84)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:1)
This project’s outcome could have 
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a profound impact on how future 
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generations live, by showing that 
(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:52)(cid:85)(cid:66)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:84)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:68)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:1)
energy from fusion is a practical 
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possibility.
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This book describes in detail the 
history of the development of 
fusion energy research and the 
progress which has led the EU and 
major countries in the world to 

the decision to have international 
collaboration on an unprecedented 
scale. By presenting the essentials 
of fusion science exploring the 
world of fusion energy research 
that has brought us to ITER and the 
eff orts of all the people that over 
the years have turned a challenging 
international collaboration into a 
success, the book explains the ‘what, 
why and how’ of the device itself.

 4

forum 2-2007bis.indd   24

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inforum 2/2007

9/20/07   1:22:53 PM

(cid:573)

(cid:573)

Activities on European Union

Title: Europe – Giving shape to an idea 

(cid:573)

Publishers are sought to publish 
this manuscript in one or more 
offi  cial languages. 

Corporate author:	Council	of	the	
European	Union
Languages available to date: French,	
English	and	German.
Number of pages:	approximately	450
Format: hardcover, art	book
Illustrations:	approximately	300,	
mostly	unpublished

(cid:573)

Content: This book aims to present 
a part of European history which 
is little known — of successive 
attempts to give concrete shape to 
that ambitious vision. In so doing, 
it shows that many of the ideas put 
forward in the past contained the 
seeds of the European Union as it 
exists now. It also shows an awareness 
of the need to harness the complex 
political forces of Europe within an 
overarching framework has existed 
for a long time. It fi rst appeared with 

Dante, since when the search has 
continued uninterrupted until after 
the Second World War. 

Research

Title: Understanding natural disasters — Contributions to risk reduction in Europe 

Publishers are sought to publish 
this manuscript in one or more 
offi  cial European languages

Corporate author: European	
Commission,	Directorate-General	for	
Research
Language of the manuscript: English
Manuscript available:	October	2007		
Licence already granted for:	the	English	
version
Number of pages: approximately 500 
Format: hardback	art	book 
Target audience: academic	libraries,	
R	&	D	institutions	in	the	fi	eld	of	
natural	hazards	and	related		disasters,	
civil	protection	authorities,	land	
planning	and	development	authorities,	
governmental	organisations,	European	
Commission	services,	NGOs	and	
institutions	etc.

Content: Natural hazards including 
earthquakes, fl oods, landslides, 
forest fi res, avalanches, storms and 
volcanic eruptions are a continuous 
threat to the social and economic 
assets of Europe. For several years 
the European Commission has 
invested in R & D to understand 
and manage natural hazards and 
to reduce risks related to their 
occurrence. The knowledge and 
experience gained from this 
research have to be transferred to 
the research stakeholders.

The objective of this publication 
is to capitalise on relevant R & D 
achievements by contributing to 
putting them into practical and 
operational use.

The publication integrates the 
presentation of the physical and 
sociological aspects of natural 
hazards with the theory and lessons 
learnt from past disasters. 

It will make available contributions 
of top scientists and engineers from 
various countries of the European 

Union, aiming bring the reader 
state-of-the-art scientifi c knowledge 
within the fi eld of natural hazards in 
Europe and worldwide. In particular 
it focuses on how R & D can help 
stakeholders manage the risk of 
disasters in Europe.

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(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:53)(cid:83)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:84)(cid:81)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:1)

Statistics — Economics

Title: Frontiers in benchmarking techniques

Publishers are sought to publish 
this manuscript in one or more 
offi  cial European languages.

Corporate author:	European	
Commission,	Eurostat
Language of the manuscript:	English
Manuscript available:	October	2007
Number of pages:	approximately	450
Target audience:	statisticians,	
economists	and	econometricians	
working	on	benchmarking	techniques

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(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:52)(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:66)(cid:77)(cid:1)
(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:52)(cid:85)(cid:66)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:84)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:68)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:1)
(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:53)(cid:83)(cid:66)(cid:69)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:14)(cid:1)(cid:36)(cid:80)(cid:78)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:1)
(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:53)(cid:83)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:84)(cid:81)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:1)

Content: This volume contains 
shorter and revised versions of the 
papers presented at the ‘Workshop 
on frontiers in benchmarking 
techniques and their application to 
offi  cial statistics’ held in Luxembourg 
on 7 and 8 April 2005.

The workshop featured keynote 
lectures by eminent researchers 
in benchmarking techniques, 
such as Tommaso Di Fonzo, Victor 
Guerrero, Tommaso Proietti, Benoit 
Quenneville, Alicia N. Rambaldi, 
Abdelwahe Trabelsi and Martin 
Weale.

inforum 2/2007

(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:34)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:87)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:70)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:80)(cid:71)(cid:1)(cid:85)(cid:73)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:38)(cid:86)(cid:83)(cid:80)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:1)(cid:54)(cid:79)(cid:74)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:1)
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forum 2-2007bis.indd   25

(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:42)(cid:79)(cid:69)(cid:86)(cid:84)(cid:85)(cid:83)(cid:90)(cid:1)(cid:14)(cid:1)(cid:38)(cid:79)(cid:85)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:81)(cid:83)(cid:74)(cid:84)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:14)(cid:1)(cid:52)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:87)(cid:74)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:14)(cid:1)

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(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:45)(cid:66)(cid:88)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:69)(cid:1)(cid:75)(cid:86)(cid:84)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:1)

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(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:52)(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:66)(cid:77)(cid:1)

(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:52)(cid:85)(cid:66)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:84)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:68)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:1)

(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:53)(cid:83)(cid:66)(cid:69)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:14)(cid:1)(cid:36)(cid:80)(cid:78)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:1)

(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:53)(cid:83)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:84)(cid:81)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:1)

The main objectives of this book 
are to present recent developments 
in the theoretical and empirical 
use of benchmarking techniques, 
identify applications of sophisticated 
benchmarking techniques by private 
and public institutions involved 
in the production and analysis of 
infra-annual statistics, and stimulate 
the debate between academics, 
researchers and institutions in the 
fi eld of benchmarking techniques.

The papers encompass recent 
methodological advances in several 
important areas of benchmarking 

techniques, such as temporal 
disaggregation techniques, 
univariate and multivariate 
benchmarking techniques, use 
of benchmarking techniques in 
the presence of both spatial and 
temporal constraints, comparison of 
alternative temporal disaggregation 
and benchmarking techniques, 
and innovative applications of the 
production and analysis of infra-
annual statistics.

5

(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:34)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:87)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:70)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:80)(cid:71)(cid:1)(cid:85)(cid:73)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:38)(cid:86)(cid:83)(cid:80)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:1)(cid:54)(cid:79)(cid:74)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:1)
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(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:52)(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:66)(cid:77)(cid:1)

(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:52)(cid:85)(cid:66)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:84)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:68)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:1)

(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:53)(cid:83)(cid:66)(cid:69)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:14)(cid:1)(cid:36)(cid:80)(cid:78)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:1)

(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:53)(cid:83)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:84)(cid:81)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:1)

9/20/07   1:22:59 PM

(cid:573)

(cid:573)

Forum library

 Economics

Title:  Can Italy adjust and grow? 

(cid:573)

Publishers are sought to publish this 
manuscript in one or more offi  cial 
European languages 

Corporate author:	European	
Commission,	Directorate-General	for	
Economic	and	Financial	Aff	airs
Language of the manuscript:	English
Year:	2007
Manuscript available:	October	2007
Number of pages:	200
Target public:	economists,	academia,	
national/international	institutes

(cid:573)

Content: Based on the proceedings 
of a seminar held in Brussels on 2 
March 2007, this book discusses 
the current situation, prospects and 
policy challenges facing the Italian 
economy, with a view to allowing 
a better understanding of the 
structural weaknesses underlying 
Italy’s growth performance vis-à-vis 
the other euro-area countries and 
identifying priorities for action. The 

book is dedicated to the memory of 
Riccardo Faini, an outstanding Italian 
economist who passed away on 20 
January 2007. His comprehensive 
and insightful analysis of the 
Italian economy constitutes an 
invaluable heritage that inspires this 
publication.

Title: The role of fi scal rules and institutions in shaping budgetary outcomes 

Publishers are sought to publish this 
manuscript in one or more offi  cial 
European languages 

Editors:	Servaas	Deroose,	Elena	Flores,	
Laurent	Moulin	and	Joaquim	Ayuso-
i-Casals
Corporate author:	European	
Commission,	Directorate-General	for	
Economic	and	Financial	Aff	airs
Language of the manuscript:	English
Year:	2007
Manuscript available:	October	2007
Size:	11	articles	plus	4	discussant	
sessions	(between	140	000	and	150	000	
words)
Target audience:	economists,	academia,	
national	and	international	public	
institutions/national	and	international	
research	institutes/banks’	research	
departments

Content: Economic literature has 
provided abundant analyses on 
how taxes, public expenditure and 
government balance should be set 
over the business cycle for fi scal 
policy to be considered sustainable. 
However, there is ample evidence 
that such policies were in practice 
not always pursued by policymakers, 
which in turn points to an incorrect 
use of discretion when deciding 
fi scal policy strategies. The eff ects 
stemming from this improper 
conduct of fi scal policy have led 
to a defi cit bias and growing 
debt ratios in most developed 
economies. Moreover, an increasing 
tendency to implement procyclical 
fi scal policies, especially in good 

times, has also frequently been 
observed. It is broadly agreed that 
an adequate fi scal framework at 
national level may play an important 
role in ensuring an appropriate 
use of discretion in the design and 
implementation of fi scal policy. 
In particular, domestic fi scal rules 
imposing constraints on budgetary 
aggregates (i.e. budget balances, 
debt levels or expenditure and 
revenue developments) and 
independent institutions operating 
in the fi eld of fi scal policy may be 
instrumental in tackling the defi cit 
bias and ensuring time-consistent 
budgetary policymaking. The 
articles included in this book focus 
on diff erent aspects of fi scal rules 

and institutions (e.g. design and 
scope) and assess the potential 
contribution of these fi scal 
arrangements to implementing 
sound budgetary policies and 
ensuring sustainable fi scal positions. 
The authors of these articles 
are leading academic experts in 
this fi eld and economists and 
policymakers dealing with fi scal 
policy issues.

(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:34)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:87)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:70)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:80)(cid:71)(cid:1)(cid:85)(cid:73)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:38)(cid:86)(cid:83)(cid:80)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:1)(cid:54)(cid:79)(cid:74)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:1)
(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:34)(cid:72)(cid:83)(cid:74)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:77)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:83)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:14)(cid:1)(cid:39)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:70)(cid:84)(cid:85)(cid:83)(cid:90)(cid:1)(cid:14)(cid:1)(cid:39)(cid:74)(cid:84)(cid:73)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:74)(cid:70)(cid:84)(cid:1)
(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:38)(cid:68)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:80)(cid:78)(cid:90)(cid:1)(cid:14)(cid:1)(cid:39)(cid:74)(cid:79)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:14)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:1)
(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:38)(cid:79)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:72)(cid:90)(cid:1)(cid:14)
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(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:42)(cid:79)(cid:69)(cid:86)(cid:84)(cid:85)(cid:83)(cid:90)(cid:1)(cid:14)(cid:1)(cid:38)(cid:79)(cid:85)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:81)(cid:83)(cid:74)(cid:84)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:14)(cid:1)(cid:52)(cid:70)(cid:83)(cid:87)(cid:74)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:14)(cid:1)
(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:42)(cid:79)(cid:71)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:78)(cid:66)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:1)(cid:14)(cid:1)(cid:38)(cid:69)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:66)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:1)(cid:14)(cid:1)(cid:36)(cid:86)(cid:77)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:83)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:14)(cid:1)(cid:52)(cid:81)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:1)
(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:45)(cid:66)(cid:88)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:69)(cid:1)(cid:75)(cid:86)(cid:84)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:1)
(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:52)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:70)(cid:79)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:109)(cid:68)(cid:1)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:69)(cid:1)(cid:85)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:73)(cid:79)(cid:74)(cid:68)(cid:66)(cid:77)(cid:1)(cid:83)(cid:70)(cid:84)(cid:70)(cid:66)(cid:83)(cid:68)(cid:73)
(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:52)(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:66)(cid:77)(cid:1)
(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:52)(cid:85)(cid:66)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:84)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:68)(cid:84)(cid:1)(cid:1)
(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:53)(cid:83)(cid:66)(cid:69)(cid:70)(cid:1)(cid:14)(cid:1)(cid:36)(cid:80)(cid:78)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:1)
(cid:116)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:53)(cid:83)(cid:66)(cid:79)(cid:84)(cid:81)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:1)

Partnersearch

The Partnersearch section encourages the exchange of information among forum members. It 
provides information on some of their works and off  ers co-publishing projects.

Partners are sought to translate from the 
original French.

Format	(paper/CD-ROM or other):	paper
Number of pages:	1	088
Publication date:	2007
Source language:	French
Target public:	teachers,	students,	civil	servants,	
administrations,	etc.	

Contact person:
Hervé Woltèche (editor)
Herve.Wolteche@deboeck.be
Éditions De Boeck — Université
Éditions De Boeck — Université
Fond Jean Pâques, 4
B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve
B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve
www.deboeck.com
Tel. (32) 10 48 25 44

Title: Dictionnaire de l’Union européenne

Third edition

Content: The European Dictionary contains more than 
1 000 words associated to some 630 defi nitions. They are 
linked by themes through thousands of links referring to 
more than 1 600 legislative references and regulations.

You will fi nd a more detailed description on the 
publisher’s website (http://universite.deboeck.com/livre/
?GCOI=28011100747910).

 6

inforum 2/2007

forum 2-2007bis.indd   26

9/20/07   1:23:01 PM

Recent projects with partner publishers

The projects listed below are only those which have already been published.

On the initiative of the publishers

... Publication by diﬀ erent media

The publications published by Eurostat only on the website have been 
reproduced in print in parallel with the Eurostat online version.

> Labour force survey in the EU, candidate countries and the EFTA
> External and intra-European Union trade (2006 edition)
> European social statistics (2007 edition)

From a conference proceedings to a paper publication

Communicating European research 2005

This book contains a series of 40 articles 
written by forward-thinking speakers 
who presented their fi ndings at the 
‘Communicating European research 
2005’ event which was organised by the 
European Commission in Brussels on 14 
and 15 November 2005.

This event was attended by well over 2 100 
participants. The content of this book 
clearly illustrates that communication is 
a highly important element of research 
projects funded by the European Union. 
Authors include scientists, journalists and 
communication professionals.

today and addresses topical questions. 
It off ers a selection of good practices 
and professional services to scientists 
and science communicators, and should 
help them design and carry out their 
communication activities with a European 
and international dimension.

The book covers the main aspects of 
science and technology communication 

Springer, XXIV, 248 pp., hardcover, ISBN 
978-1-4020-5357-3, EUR 119.95

... From paper to CD-ROM

Various brochures about general information on Europe 
have been included in a CD-ROM as part of an annex of 
educational work aimed at school children aged 10–19.

Ciencias sociales 1; Geografía 3; Educación para la 
ciudadanía

These books are school texts for students aged 12 to 14. 
Each book has a CD-ROM as an add-on. The CD-ROM 
contains various Community brochures as well as maps 
authored by the Directorate-General for Communication 
and the Directorate-General for the Environment, explaining 
for young people what the European Union is. The purpose 
of the multimedia textbook is to include more information 
on the European Union in the national educational 
programme.

The McGraw-Hill companies — 
ISBN (CD-ROM) 978-84-481-5748-7, EUR 27 (book + CD-ROM)
ISBN (CD-ROM) 978-84-481-5792-0, EUR 27.50 (book + CD-ROM)
ISBN (CD-ROM) 978-84-481-5908-5, EUR 24.45 (book + CD-ROM)

inforum 2/2007

7

forum 2-2007bis.indd   27

9/20/07   1:23:04 PM

Forum library

... Repoduction

La mayor Operación de 
Solidaridad de la Historia — 
Crónica de la política regional de 
la UE en España

In this book, the Head of the 
Commission Representation in 
Spain, José Luis González Vallvé, 
together with co-author Miguel 
Ángel Benedicto, journalist and 
correspondent of European 
Commission information campaigns 
in Spain, wished to emphasise 
clearly and plainly what the Europe 
regional policy has done for Spain 
and its community. These 20 years 
can be considered as the best years 
in the recent history of Spain, an 
opinion supported by the most of 
the population. 

Since 1986 when Spain joined 
the European Union, Spaniards 
have benefi ted from the biggest 
solidarity operation: EUR 118 000 
million of Community aid. Spain 
has a modern society, a new 
infrastructure and public service, 
a democratic, stable system, and 
wonderful economic growth. 
The regional economic and social 
cohesion, through the Structural 
Funds, has been essential to 
introduce the European model in 
Spain, a unique example of success 
from which the autonomous 
communities have benefi ted and 
enjoyed.

Plaza y Valdéz, 2007, 186 pp., ISBN 
978-8-4967-8021-7, EUR 19

... E-news

A new deal for an eff  ective 
European research policy 
— The design and impacts of the 
seventh framework programme

This book is the fi rst to present, 
from a viewpoint inside the 
European Commission, the nuts 
and bolts of how EU research policy 
is actually designed. It also provides 
a comprehensive analysis, on the 
basis of factual evidence, not only 
of the positive impacts of European 
research, but of the various 
criticisms that have been made of 
the framework programme.

The seventh framework 
programme has been drawn 
up at a time when citizens and 
governments see science and 
technology as a panacea for an 
increasingly long list of problems. 
What is needed, this book argues, is 
a ‘new deal’ for research in Europe 
involving the mobilisation of policy 
actors across all levels.

Springer, 2007, XXVI, 289 pp., 
hardcover, ISBN 978-1-4020-5550-8, 
EUR 24.95

From the Forum publishing proposals

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Reading campaigns: 
some examples

Before considering what kind of literacy 
campaign to look into, it is important to fi nd 
out more about the reader. Who is buying 
books, who isn’t? When are they buying 
books? Here are a few examples of successful 
reading campaigns in Spain and the United 
Kingdom.

In Catalonia (Spain), 23 April is the day of 
the patron saint, Saint George. A custom 
has developed that takes place on that day. 
Originally, to honour Saint George, women 
were given a rose. Since 1925, booksellers 
have campaigned that a book should be 
given in return. Since then, this tradition 
has evolved and, now, more than 400 000 
books and 4 million roses are sold on that 
day. Books have become a romantic present 
to give. As you can imagine, for Catalan 
publishers and booksellers, Saint George’s 
Day is the most important day of the year. 
This campaign teaches several things.

> First, old traditions can be picked up, 
strengthened and modifi ed to draw 
attention to books.
> Secondly, books can be emotionally 
charged and used as a way of expressing 
aff ection and love. This is a very good long 
term strategy.
> Finally, this campaign shows that a 
partnerships can be created. In this case a 
partnership has been formed between 
booksellers and the fl ower industry. 

The idea is catching on in other 
countries as well, particularly in 
Latin America.

The date 23 April is now known 
internationally as World Book 
and Copyright Day and it is 
increasingly celebrated around 
the world.

The UK also celebrates World 
Book and Copyright Day, but 
they have decided that 23 April is 
not necessarily the best date for it. 
They have chosen to celebrate World 

Book and Copyright Day in their own special 
way, to suit their own objectives. First, they 
have simplifi ed the name to World Book Day. 
This also refl ects their objective, to use this 
day to promote the sale of books. Secondly, 
they have chosen to move the date. In 2007 
it was 1 March. The chosen date lies in a time 
that is traditionally a slow business period 
for booksellers, where they can use a special 
boost. It is also always set on a Thursday so 
that those who are reached by the media 
campaign have time on the following 
Saturday and Sunday to visit the bookshops 
and buy books.

World Book Day in the United Kingdom 
and Ireland focuses on children and young 
readers. That is why numerous resources 
are spent on getting schools involved in this 
day, which they do with great enthusiasm. 
Some encourage the children to dress up 
as their favourite book characters; others 
allow older children to read to younger ones. 
Authors also volunteer to visit schools and 
to read there. Schools receive a pack with 
information and ideas for World Book Day 
several months in advance. The pack also 
contains another important promotional 
tool: a book token valued at GBP 1 (or 
EUR 1 in Ireland) for each child. These book 
tokens can be redeemed in participating 

bookshops, but only when 
buying a book. The most 
important function of 
the book tokens is to 
encourage people to 
enter bookshops. Getting 
children to see bookshops 
as part of a normal shopping 
environment is important 
so that they do not feel any 
reluctance to go to bookshops 
later in life. Bookshops become 

a normal place to go and shop. In 

addition publishers create a special 
series of books called ‘quick reads’. 
These are targeted at people who 
have lost the habit of reading. The 
books are short, snappy and fun to 

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read. Again, the idea is to open the world 
of books to people who are not naturally 
attracted by it.

Commercially, World Book Day is a great 
success in the United Kingdom, at least for 
bookshops and for publishers of children’s 
books. By adding a literacy element it was 
not diffi  cult to persuade the government to 
become a partner in the campaign. More 
importantly, the campaign has improved the 
public’s image of books and has used the 
natural enthusiasm of schools for books and 
reading, to the advantage of all.

The above are mere examples. As with all 
good campaigns they should not be copied 
100 % but examined for their merit and 
analysed as to why they work well. In the 
USA the Association of American Publishers 
(AAP) has been running a campaign entitled 
‘Get caught reading’. In essence, at its 
core are pictures of celebrities, politicians, 
television stars, sportsmen, or other famous 
people. The ‘Get caught reading’ campaign 
has been adapted by the Federation of 
European Publishers (FEP) to involve EU 
Commissioners and parliamentarians. 

n

Source: International Publishers Association (IPA) website, 
extracts from speech by Ana Maria Cabanellas, IPA 
President, 4 June 2007.

inforum 2/2007

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Newsﬂ ash 

The Forum 
catalogue

The 2007 edition of the Forum 
catalogue includes 113 contributions 
from 31 members.

The catalogue is distributed to an 
extensive network of information 
centres and contact points set up by 
the European Union for the public: 
Europe Direct information relays and 
documentation centres, European 
documentation centres, national 
information centres, various fairs across 
Europe and ‘open day’ events.

Changing of the guard at 
the Publications Offi ce

Ms Martine Reicherts became the new 
Director-General of the Publications Offi  ce 
on 1 August. She enthusiastically took over 
from Mr Cranfi eld, who had been in charge 
for the previous seven years.

Under Mr Cranfi eld’s mandate, the 
Publications Offi  ce underwent a major 
organisational restructure while putting 
in place the necessary measures required 
by the two enlargements in 2004 and 
2007. Visibly, online services have largely 
developed, providing easy and free access to 
EU information.

‘Targeting publications to their readers in the 
languages needed and wanted will be one 
of the future challenges for the Publications 
Offi  ce,’ he says in an interview published 
in the Publications Offi  ce newsletter. 
‘Ultimately, only our imagination and 
creativity are the limits in developing EU 
publishing activities.’ 

n

Happy birthday

©
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In 2007 SOLVIT celebrates fi ve years of successful problem 
solving. The network was created in July 2002 and has since 
then resolved more than 1300 problems encountered by 
citizens and businesses due to incorrect application of EU 
rules by national authorities. As more people are made aware 
of the service SOLVIT can off er, more cases are submitted to 
SOLVIT every day. SOLVIT now accepts to handle around 60 
new cases per month. Around 80% of these problems are 
resolved, most of them within the deadline of ten weeks. 
The staff  of the national SOLVIT centres and of the European 
Commission SOLVIT team are committed to continue 
providing a fi rst class service to Europe’s citizens and 
businesses.

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Newsﬂ ash 

21th meeting of the 
European Union Publishers’ Forum
Agenda 

12.30 – 13.00 Cocktail 

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,

FEP Annual Rendez-vous: 13.00 to 15.00

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Leonard ORBAN,
Member of the European Commission responsible
for Multilingualism 
Answers  & Questions 
Tilman LUEDER, 
European Commission – Internal Market and Services 
Directorate-General, Head of Unit, Copyright and Knowledge 
based Economy 
Antoni COMAS, 
President of the Catalan Publishers’ Association
Jonas MODIG, 
President of the FEP 

Meeting of the European Union Publishers’ Forum: 15.00 to 16.00

Opening 
15.00  Leonard ORBAN,

Member of the European Commission responsible
for Multilingualism 
Jean VANDEVELD, 
President of the European Union Publishers’ Forum 

15.10 

Progress report and new proposals

15.20  Serge BRACK, 

Head of Unit, Author Services Unit, Publications Oﬃ  ce 

Projects presentation (Eurostat)

15.40     Norbert REINERT, 

Teamleader, Information activities 
and User support, Eurostat  

Answers  & Questions

© European Communities, 2007
Reproduction is authorised, except for commercial purposes, provided the source is acknowledged, 
save otherwise stated.
The views expressed in this bulletin do not necessarily refl ect those of the European Commission.
Editor: Valentina Fratto
Trainee: Susana Hernandez Malpartida
Design: Publications Offi  ce, Luxembourg
Printed in Belgium

inforum 2/2007

Contributions to this Bulletin, 
including editorial articles, 
are most welcome. 

Manuscript completed in July 2007

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21th meeting of the 
European Union Publishers’ Forum 

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Frankfurt Book Fair
Frankfurt, Thursday 
11 October 2007
(15.00–16.00) Hall 8.1 
Symmetrie II+III

, rue Mercier
L-5 Luxembourg
Tel. (5)  -461
Fax: (5)  -401
E-mail: forum-info@publications.europa.eu

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