THE LITERATURE ACT
- the Literature Act no. 477 of June 12, 1996

WE, MARGRETHE II, by the Grace of God Queen of Denmark, hereby proclaim:
the Folketing has adopted and We have by Our consent ratified the following Act:

Chapter 1 - Purpose

1. (1) The purpose of the Act shall be to promote literature and access to literature in Denmark and to disseminate Danish literature abroad.

(2) The scope of the Act shall be Danish and translated works of fiction, including prose, lyrical works, drama, literature for children and young people and ordinary cultural and specialist literature.

Chapter 2 - The Literature Council

2. The Literature Council shall advise and assist public authorities and institutions on matters concerning literature. At its own initiative the Council may consider issues concerning literature and submit declarations thereon.

3. (1) The Literature Council shall comprise five expert members nominated by the Minister of Culture for a period of four years. Two members shall be nominated by the Danish Association of Authors and the Danish Association of Fictional Authors jointly, while three members shall be nominated by the Minister of Culture. Immediate reappointment may not take place.

(2) The Minister of Culture shall nominate a Chairman of the Council from among its members.

(3) Should a member resign before the expiry of his/her term of office, a new appointment shall be made for only the remainder of the period.

4. Within the fixed appropriation limits the Literature Council shall provide support for the creation and dissemination of literature, including support for authors' literary projects, publications, education, dissemination of literature and other activities which can promote the purpose of the Act, including project support to the Danish Literature Information Centre.

5. (1) The Literature Council shall prior to each financial year draw up an activity plan for the Council. The plan shall include a statement of the subsidy limits proposed to be allocated to the areas supported under the Act. This activity plan shall be submitted to the Minister of Culture for approval.

(2) Within the framework of the approved activity plan the Literature Council shall hold the final administrative authority with regard to the distribution of concrete support for the purposes stated in Section 4.

(3) The Literature Council shall have a secretariat.

Chapter 3 - Accounts, Auditing

6. The Ministry of Culture shall stipulate more detailed rules on the submission of accounts and auditing with regard to the funds distributed to private organizations and independent institutions, etc. For the use of the Auditor General the Ministry may obtain further material for a closer perusal of the accounts.

Chapter 4 - Entry into force

7. The Minister of Culture shall stipulate the date of the entry into force of the Act.

8. The Act shall not apply to the Faroe Islands and Greenland.


Given at Christiansborg Castle on June 12, 1996
Under Our Royal Hand and Seal

MARGRETHE R.

/Jytte Hilden