Man Booker prizewinner among authors at Jerusalem lit fest
Paul Beatty, who won for ‘The Sellout,’ will chat with Etgar Keret, among other events at Mishkenot Sha’ananim International Writers Festival, opening Tuesday
Jessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center
Tuesday brings the start of the annual Mishkenot Sha’ananim International Writers Festival, with four days of conversations, master classes, exhibitions and tours about the literary craft.
Visiting writers include Australian author Graeme Simsion, who will discuss Asperger’s and autism with Lihi Lapid (May 8), and American author Paul Beatty, the Man Booker prizewinner for “The Sellout,” his novel about the reintroduction of slavery and segregation. Beatty will talk with Etgar Keret on May 8 about their various fictional characters’ shared themes of humor and outrageous behavior.
Art makes an appearance as well, notably in an exhibition and conversation between Ari Folman and David Polonsky about their joint project, “Anne Frank, The Graphic Novel,” on Wednesday, and on Thursday at the Israel Museum when Alona Kimhi and Zoya Cherkassky discuss their Ukrainian childhoods and immigration to Israel.
It’s all about the Irish and English connection for the conversation between Knesset member Isaac Herzog and writers Ruth Gillian and Assaf Gavron, as Herzog is the son of Irish immigrants, Gillian wrote about the Irish Jewish community, and Gavron is the son of English immigrants.
Other commonalities will be discussed between Pussy Riot’s Maria Alyokhina and Knesset member Merav Michaeli on Thursday, while “The Nix” writer Nathan Hill will speak to Dror Mishani and Noa Yedlin about the vagaries of adapting books for television.
Hear what Eshkol Nevo has to say on Friday when he talks to Francesca Segal, whose new book, “The Awkward Age,” is being developed for BBC, and take a walk with Jerusalem writer Yair Agmon who will tour his old neighborhood.
For more information about tickets, times and other events, go to the International Writers Festival website.
