HALMA - The European Network of Literary Centers

HALMA is a joint project of the Robert Bosch Stiftung and Literarisches Colloquium Berlin e.V.

It networks literary centers in Europe, organizes intercultural meetings, and enables people in the literary world – authors, translators, agents – to experience the cultural diversity of different European countries.

The HALMA network establishes flexible structures that support different forms of dialog and exchange in the participating regions. HALMA organizes cooperation projects and events and awards fellowships to create forums for cross-border communication. As in the board game of the same name ("Halma" is Greek for "leap"), the network provides ideal opportunities for moving between European countries to work, conduct research or implement projects. In the many locations involved in the network, literature and the arts are the foundation for long-term relationships. HALMA currently comprises twenty-six literary centers in Western, Central and Eastern Europe.

HALMA was initiated in November 2006 by Literarisches Colloquium Berlin together with the Robert Bosch Stiftung and Stiftung Grenzland.

On May 11, 2007, the HALMA initiative was presented in the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs by Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier as a model initiative in the context of the German EU Presidency.