British author Ian McEwan and Italian page-turner Umberto Eco are in Israel this week for the 25th Jerusalem International Book Fair . McEwan is this year’s winner of the prestigious Jerusalem Prize literary honor.
Bibliophiles can delight in some 100,000 titles in all languages on display at the event. The biennial literary happening is expected to draw more than 600 authors, editors and literary agents from around the world.
Among the book signings and book launches, there is a literary cafe where local and foreign authors can meet their readers. There will also be mini conferences including the likes of Eco and the Israeli writer A. B. Yehoshua, and Canadian author Marina Nemat and Israeli filmmaker Anat Zuria.
The fair was founded by former Jerusalem mayor Teddy Kollek in 1963. It provides an opportunity for publishing professionals to make contacts, get updated on what’s going on in the industry and have fun together.
This year’s event runs February 20-25.