Readers and writers from 30 countries will take part in the biennial Jerusalem International Book Fair, set for February 10-15, 2013 at the International Convention Center in the capital. Some 600 authors and publishers are expected to attend the event.
The book fair is one of the best loved happenings on the Jerusalem culture calendar and all the programs are free of charge. More than 100,000 books – in nearly every language – will be on display. There will also be seminars on a variety of topics including selling books in the digital age, literary criticism, translation and blogging.
Celebrating its jubilee year, the Jerusalem International Book Fair will award the prestigious Jerusalem Prize to acclaimed Spanish author Antonio Muñoz Molina. The prize is awarded to an author whose work best expresses and promotes the idea of the “freedom of the individual in society.”
The Literary Café — which offers open and engaging dialogue between Israeli and international writers in a setting designed as a coffee shop – will once again return to the fair. Writers taking part in this event include Nir Baram (Israel), Philip Hensher (UK), Emmanuel Carrere (France), Nathan Englander (US), and Philippe Labro (France), among many others.
This year’s fair will also showcase art books, historic scrolls and archival posters.