Jerusalem hotel seeking writers who need peace and quiet
Prima Royale launches artist retreat program, in the tradition of New York's Chelsea Hotel
Jerusalem’s Prima Royale Hotel isn’t exactly Yaddo or the MacDowell Colony, those famed writing retreats in North America’s wooded northeastern region where writers such as Carson McCullers, Alice Walker, John Cheever and Truman Capote penned their literary masterpieces.
Nor is it New York’s famed and now shuttered Chelsea Hotel, home for so long to many struggling writers, artists and musicians. But the Prima Royale is lending a hand to writers and poets, offering a free room for up to two weeks or more to wordsmiths working on projects and seeking some peace and quiet.
Writers Asher Reich (winner of both the Prime Minister’s and Presidential prizes), Edna Shemesh (“Amstel”) and Noa Yadlin (“Shelf Life”) will be the first writers to participate in the project, while an advisory committee that includes writers Ram Oren and Amnon Jacont, poet Bettine Amir, and Prima CEO Etti Levi will review proposals from writers.
“The concept of the hotel revolves around arts in Jerusalem, so we thought it would be great to add this to the overall idea,” said Tali Karasik-Regev, who handles press relations for the hotel.
The Prima Royale, formerly the landmark Windmill Hotel and situated within easy walking distance of the Old City and downtown Jerusalem, was recently renovated and is designated as the Prima chain’s cultural flagship, with champagne at breakfast, live jazz in the lobby… and now writers in residence.