Bernard-Henri Lévy to open Writers Fest, Book Forum in Jerusalem in May
Jerusalem Prize to be awarded to French author Michel Houellebecq, who has written about France becoming Islamic
Jessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center
The International Writers Festival at Mishkenot Sha’ananim and the International Book Forum will take place concurrently on May 18-22, with French philosopher and writer Bernard-Henri Lévy featured at the opening event.
Both events, the 13th International Writers Festival and the International Book Forum (the successor to the Jerusalem International Book Fair, founded in 1963) will be held at Jerusalem’s pastoral neighborhood of Mishkenot Sha’ananim, overlooking the Old City.
The festival, supported by the Jerusalem Foundation and the Jerusalem Municipality, will include literary events with authors, workshops, activities for children, music and theater performances, cultural encounters and an exhibition.
The International Book Forum will open with the Jerusalem Prize award ceremony, honoring French author Michel Houellebecq. The prize jury selected Houellebecq unanimously, calling him a radical writer who thinks deeply and fundamentally about the human condition – and possesses what can be called a “moral talent.”
Houellebecq, an international literary star and controversial writer who is not Jewish, often describes himself as pro-Israel and also praises US President Donald Trump.
His latest and sixth novel, “Submission,” imagines France becoming an Islamic country.
In December 2023, he told Ynet: “Recent events in France, across Europe and in the United States have proven, more than ever, that there needs to be a safe haven for Jews. I ask myself whether, as an exception, I might one day be able to emigrate to Israel.”
The forum will gather top publishing professionals from around the world for in-depth discussions on the key issues and trends shaping the industry today.
As part of a collaboration with the European Union to promote contemporary European literature in Israel, the International Writers Festival will host a dozen unique voices, including Houellebecq, Gábor T. Szántó, Shalom Auslander, Piam Pailey, Maxim Biller, Ariana Harwicz, Volker Weidermann and Mikołaj Łoziński.
The festival will also host a wide range of Israeli literary voices, including Yael Neeman, Yaara Shehori, Maya Tevet Dayan, Dorit Rabinyan, Lihi Lapid, Alma Zohar, Merav Roth, Chaya Gilboa, Bacol Serlui and Noa Yedlin.
“This year, our festival turns its gaze toward Europe – not only as a source of literary inspiration, but as an arena in which to reflect on the role of the writer in society,” said Julia Fermentto-Tzaisler, director of the festival.
Fermentto-Tzaisler stated that other themes include whether literature can spark real change and whether writers and philosophers can help shape public discourse and lead social transformation.
Lévy, who will open the festival, called the event a “shining example of Israeli culture’s vitality and resilience in times of such profound sorrow and challenge. Even during war and in the face of the ongoing conflict since 1948, Israel continues to create, and to enrich the world through culture. This is only one of the expressions of Zionism, and it fills me with joy.”
Levy’s latest book, “Israel Alone,” tackles the growing international isolation of Israel and the events surrounding the October 7, 2023, Hamas terror onslaught.
In the book, he analyzes the rise of global antisemitism and its influence on perceptions of Israel, highlighting how countries like Iran and Russia, as well as radical Islamist groups, have benefited from the crisis. Lévy also turns his gaze to broader issues such as Zionism, Israel’s identity as a Jewish state, and the calls for a ceasefire without the release of the hostages.
