Bi-annual Jerusalem book fests join forces to become yearly event

The Jerusalem International Book Fair and the International Writers Festival are now the annual Jerusalem International Book Forum, bringing authors and publishers together

Jessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center

Argentian writer Liliana Heker (second from right) applauded after her play was performed at the International Writer's festival in Jerusalem in May 2010 (Miriam Alster/Flash 90)
Argentian writer Liliana Heker (second from right) applauded after her play was performed at the International Writer's festival in Jerusalem in May 2010 (Miriam Alster/Flash 90)

Two favorite Jerusalem book events, the bi-annual Jerusalem International Book Fair and the yearly International Writers Festival, are combining to become an annual festival known as the Jerusalem International Book Forum, which will be held for the first time next year, May 12-16, 2019.

The Jerusalem International Book Fair, initially held in the International Convention Center and then in several Jerusalem locations including The First Station, is the larger event, bringing together publishing professionals since 1963, and will become a professional publishers’ conference. The Writers Festival, usually held at Mishkenot Sha’ananim, is a smaller, more intimate event, hosting authors every other year since 2008, and will now be an annual event.

The new, joint event will include a combination of professional and literary events, with an eye toward increasing collaborative efforts between publishing professionals and authors.

During the event, publishing professionals and writers will appear on panels, in discussion groups, offering presentations and open interviews and in informal gatherings.

Shopping for books at the 24th Jerusalem International Book Fair in February 2009, at the International Convention Center (Miriam Alster/Flash 90)

The new International Book Forum was designed as a “professional and social meeting ground,” said Yoel Makov, who directs the Jerusalem International Book Fair. “It will be a Jerusalem-based gathering of the publishing profession’s leading figures for personal interaction and for creating new initiatives and collaborative efforts.”

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