Introduction

Translation needs to be at the very heart of exchanges in the Mediterranean region, as it leads to a restoration of languages to their proper place, in all their richness and complexity, their diversity and depth of field. But besides this, translation can put into perspective entrenched differences and "untranslatables" that must not be glossed over. A broad view of translation should make it possible to stimulate new, and more profound, forms of interaction in artistic, intellectual and social activity.

Translating in the Mediterrean aims at creating translation dynamics which will be stamped by reciprocity and equal conditions of exchange. We have to translate more, to translate better, to translate other  knowledge. And we need to translate not just into Arabic, but also from Arabic into different European languages – and not only from North to South, but also from South to North, East to West and West to East, South to South...

Over the next ten years, the Mediterranean region needs to become a fabric of translation.