Gea Schelhaas is the director of the ELV (Centre of Expertise for Literary Translation). On behalf of the ELV, she participates in the European PETRA-E network. After attaining her degree in Dutch Language and Literature from the University of Utrecht, her first job was as an editor at BulkBoek Publishing. From 1999 to 2006 she held several Communications positions at the Koninklijke Bibliotheek, National Library of The Netherlands, in The Hague. Currently, she is working on a website about ‘The Hollandsche Lelie’ (The Dutch Lily) a magazine for young ladies that was issued from 1887 to 1933 (www.dehollandschelelie.nl).
The Centre of Expertise for Literary Translation furthers the quality of literary translation into and from Dutch through education, training and the sharing of expertise. We do this by strengthening the knowledge, skills and professionalism of translators, educators and related organisations.
The ELV is a partnership between the Taalunie (Union for the Dutch Language), KU Leuven and Utrecht University, in cooperation with Flanders Literature and the Dutch Foundation for Literature. It was set up by the Taalunie in 2001. Like the Taalunie, the ELV is a joint Dutch/Flemish organisation.