The 6th biennial International Writers’ Festival, produced by Mishkenot Sha’ananim, took place in early May and included conversations, master classes, exhibitions and tours all relating to the art of the written word. The Writers Festival is a key event in the literary world in Israel, and this year its theme was literary protests and their impact.
Several visiting writers took part including international names such as Ruth Gilligan in conversation with Leader of the Opposition, Isaac Herzog, about her latest book on the Irish Jewish community; Australian, Graeme Simsion bestselling author of The Rosie Project who talked about about how we can and should make the world a better place for people who are coping with autism; and Man Booker prizewinner, author Paul Beatty who shared a stage with Etgar Keret to discuss “The Sellout,” his novel about the reintroduction of slavery and segregation.
The festival also included several art related events including an exhibition and conversation between Ari Folman and David Polonsky about their joint project, “Anne Frank, The Graphic Novel,” and a discussion between Israeli author and former actress, Alona Kimhi and contemporary Israeli artist, Zoya Cherkassky on their Ukrainian childhoods and immigration to Israel.
