MIShKENOT Sha'ananim

Full Program

This year’s Festival centers around the theme of removing barriers and challenging the boundaries of the discourse, and around explorations, investigations, and surprising discoveries. The contemporary world of literature is no longer restricted to the printed word inside a book, and many writers expand the field in new and exceptional directions. For one culture- packed weekend, the festival will offer musical performances, lectures, tours, writing workshops, events for children, and conversations with prominent Israeli and international artists and writers. You are invited to read the program, order tickets, and secure your seat for the various events.

Culture Buzz Wednesday, 25.5 17:00-18:00 / The Writers Festival and Night, followed by a conversation with the 16:00-17:00 / A Possibility of The Cultural Brigade present: children, and a special debut reading of a Violence: Life in the Shadow Life According to Nabokov new story by Keret. of Terrorism | Dror Mishani, For 5-9 year olds 11:00-12:00 / Authors Talking Art: The Lila Azam Zanganeh in conversation Ayman Sikseck, and Juan Gabriel with Sivan Beskin Vasquez Writers Festival at the Israel Museum Superman on the Light What made Lila Azam Zanganeh, a young 11:00-13:00 / On societies forced to live in the shadow of Parisian novelist of Iranian origin, choose Rail: Creative Writing Workshop for terrorism and violence, as these are reflected The Wide Open Eyes of the Angel of Children and Teens | Galit Dahan History | Michal Govrin to delve into the life of Vladimir Nabokov, in the works of Vasquez (Colombia), Mishani, learn Russian, and even write a book about Carlibach and Sikseck. A captivating conversation Prof. Michal Govrin embarks on a journey Galit Dahan Carlibach will hold a workshop inspired by the exhibitions Twilight Over him? With the poet Sivan Beskin, and co- about unsolved murders, small and big presented with The Cultural Brigade of dedicated to superheroes in fantasy and fears, and the relentless obsession to find the Berlin and New Types. A conversation with realistic fiction. We will learn how these Benjamin and Scholem, Beckett and Agnon, Generation 1.5. The group members Alex “truth” of the story, in a world where even the Rif and Shmuel Zeltser will accompany the figures are characterized and developed truth becomes fiction. Celan and Derrida, on the fine line between from a literary perspective, and create our devastation and redemption. event with live music and singing. Moderator: Netta Ahituv own character. The event will be held in English Moderator: Shua Ben-Ari Moderator: Noa Mennhaim In collaboration with Genesis Philanthropy Group Workshop for children aged 10+ The Israel Museum, In collaboration with “Hamegera”, Kinneret- Show Me the Money: On Meeting point: entrance pavilion. We recommend Zmora-Dvir Creative Writing School 16:00-17:00 / that you arrive 15 minutes early 17:30-19:00 / Yair Garbuz - Solo Employment Relations and Economics Tickets are available by phone: 02-6771300 on the Exhibition Opening followed by The Authors Talking Art: The Writers in Israeli Literature Museum website, or at the box office Chicken and the Egg: Yair Garbuz in The panel will explore different aspects of In collaboration with the Israel Museum, Jerusalem Festival at the Israel Museum conversation with Shimon Adaf the socioeconomic struggles in Israel and A conversation between the artist Yair their manifestation in Israeli literature. A Literary Inheritance | 16:00-17:00 / Garbuz and the author, poet, and musician A Parabola of Success | Leonid conversation with writers who represent Anita Desai, Kiran Desai, and Zeruya Shimon Adaf on the occasion of Garbuz’ new Pekarovsky talks about Albrecht unconventional voices in the literary scene: Shalev in conversation with Tamar solo exhibition Logic has Its Own Sorrow. Dürer Roy “Chicky” Arad, a poet, writer, journalist Merin The event will also feature poetry reading and and magzines editor, Leonid Pekarovsky, a The renowned award-winning novelists, live music by Adaf. 11:00-12:00 / in Hebrew brilliant writer and essayist who works as a Anita Desai and her daughter Kiran Desai A reception in the presence of the artist and the 12:30-13:30 / in Russian security guard, and Noga Albalach, a writer (India), in conversation with the Israeli curator will be held in Dwek Gallery, Mishkenot The novelist, intellectual, and art critic Leonid and editor, who left a career in finances for a novelist, Zeruya Shalev, about literary family Sha’ananim, at 17:30. Pekarovsky will talk about Albrecht Dürer – life of literature and writing. The conversation will be held in Gilbert De dynasties, personal writing and national the great master whose art has touched his Moderator: Einat Fishbain writing, love and pain. Botton Auditorium, Mishkenot Sha’ananim, at In collaboration with The Hottest Place in Hell 18:00 heart and affected his writing. The event will be held in English Moderator: Tanya Sirakovich In collaboration with the Beracha Foundation The Israel Museum, Jerusalem Story Booth | Alex Dystopias and Utopias in 16:00-19:00 / 18:00-19:00 / Meeting point: entrance pavilion. We recommend Epstein the Temple | Ruby Namdar and Yishai 16:00-17:00 / A Workshop for that you arrive 15 minutes early The novelist Alex Epstein offers festival Creativity Unblocking | Shelly Oria Sarid Tickets are available by phone: 02-6771300 on the visitors a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: to Museum website, or at the box office Shelly Oria is a New York based author and About the Temple and its destruction on the gain immortality by becoming a character in personal and national level, as it is reflected In collaboration with the Israel Museum, Jerusalem teacher of creative writing. She also works In collaboration with Genesis Philanthropy Group his stories. as a personal coach, specializing in creativity in the novels of Ruby Namdar (USA) and Free. Registration required unblocking. In the workshop, Oria will Yishai Sarid. Is it possible that the very act In collaboration with Genesis Philanthropy Group Moonless Night: Shlomi demonstrate how creativity and imagination of writing about the Temple is another tier in 12:00-13:00 / and the Beracha Foundation Frige and Shira Geffen in a Literary- can change our life. its construction? Moderator: Sarah Blau Musical Show for Children 17:00-18:30 / Creative Writing 16:00-19:00 / Story Booth | Alex Jerusalem Music Center, Mishkenot Sha’ananim Shira Geffen will read from her beloved Workshops in collaboration with book The Heart-Shaped Leaf with musical Epstein HaMegera accompaniment by the composer Shlomi The novelist Alex Epstein offers festival 19:30-20:30 / Opening Event Frige. The reading will be followed by the visitors a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: to Small World | David Grossman in world premiere of an opera for children Sarah Blau: The Secrets gain immortality by becoming a character in conversation with Colum McCann created by Frige, based on Etgar Keret and A group of strangers will share secrets and his stories. David Grossman and Colum McCann Shira Geffen’s book Moonless Night. discover that sometimes, writing is the best Free. Registration required. (Ireland), one of the most important Irish way to break free from them. In collaboration with Genesis Philanthropy Group writers in contemporary literature, will talk Composer and conductor: Shlomi Frige Reading: Uri Hochman Noa Yedlin: Who is a Hero? and the Beracha Foundation about the art of writing and the role of writers How do you turn a character from a collection in times of crisis. Piano: Andy Feldbau | Cantilena Ensemble: Hadar Beiser, soprano | Dana Kazma, mezzo of traits to an actual person who lives and 16:00-17:30 / Madness and Obsession: Moderator: Kobi Meidan breathes between the pages of the story? The event will be held in English soprano | Inbal Shilor, alt Rethinking Don Quixote For 5-9 year olds Ronny Someck: Guillotine 400 hundred years after Cervantes’ death, A workshop on the art of deleting. his ingenious masterpiece Don Quixote is Thursday, 26.5 16:00-17:00 / Of Birds and Men | In collaboration with “Hamegera”, Kinneret- still as powerful and poignant as ever. Tal Zmora-Dvir Creative Writing School Nitzan will talk with Jesús Carrasco (Spain) Birdwatching with Nell Zink and Dror Burstein and Juan Gabriel Vásquez (Colombia) about “Jeremiah, what seest 18:00-19:00 / The Power of the Word: Quixotical traces of madness and obsession 10:30-11:30 / The novelist Nell Zink (USA/Germany), a thou?” | Dror Burstein in conversation rising star in the international literary scene, Literature as an Engine for Social in contemporary literature in general and in Change their works in particular. with Rabbi Binyamin Lau has been a bird conservation activist for many Are we naïve enough to think that the written Greetings: Fernando Carderera Soler – In his new book Mud, the novelist Dror years. Zink and the novelist Dror Burstein will word can transform reality? The participants Spain’s Ambassador to Israel Burstein rewrites the story of Jeremiah, meet at the Jerusalem Bird Observatory will discuss questions surrounding the Fernando Alzate Donoso – Colombia’s which unfolds against a backdrop of a for a conversation about the poetic nature responsibility of writers and literature, and Ambassador to Israel simultaneously ancient and contemporary of birds and men. The event will also feature their involvement in times of conflict and Moderator: Tal Nitzan Jerusalem. Burstein will talk with Rabbi Dr. birdwatching and a demonstration of bird crisis. Special guest: Sasha Demidov, who plays Binyamin Lau, the author of Jeremiah: The ringing process. With Colum McCann (Ireland), Lila Azam in Gesher Theatre’s I Am Don Quixote, will Fate of a Prophet, about prophets, kings, Jerusalem Bird Observatory, 2 Rothschild Street The event will be held in English Zanganeh (France/Iran), Nir Baram, and read selected excerpts from the piece redemption, and devastation. Please register in advance by phone *6226. Tickets Assaf Gavron. The event will be held in English will not be available on site Greetings: Dr. Michael Borchard, director of In collaboration with the Cervantes Institute on the 10:30-11:15 / Creative Couples – In collaboration with the Jerusalem Bird occasion of the 30th anniversary of establishing Children’s Edition | Etgar Keret and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Israel Observatory Moderator: Neta Halperin diplomatic relations between Israel and Spain Shira Geffen in a special Lag BaOmer In collaboration with the Embassy of Colombia The event will be held in English activity for children In collaboration with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Etgar Keret and Shira Geffen will read from Israel their beloved children’s book Moonless

For the full program and tickets: *6226 mishkenot.org.il/writersfestival/en 18:00-19:00 / Contemporary Chinese his stories. 10:00-13:00 / Jerusalem Plays Hide 16:00-17:00 / Live from the Battlefield Literature | Mai Jia in conversation Free. Registration required. and Seek: Literary Walking Tour and | Anthony Marra in conversation with In collaboration with Genesis Philanthropy Group with Evan Fallenberg and the Beracha Foundation Writing Exercise for Adults Oren Nahari Mai Jia (China), president of Zhejiang A walking tour through the spectacular Anthony Marra’s (USA) award-winning novel Writers Association and one of the most landscapes surrounding Mishkenot A Constellation of Vital Phenomena, is set Creative Couples | successful novelists in contemporary 10:00-11:00 / Sha’ananim and the twilight zones of against a backdrop of the Chechen Wars. Chinese literature, chats with novelist and Married life: Tamar Merin and Matan creation, legend, history, and folklore. Marra and Oren Nahari will talk about the translator Evan Fallenberg about Mai’s Hermoni in conversation with Bilhah During the tour, the participants will differences between literary writing and bestselling novel Decoded, the reading Ben-Eliyahu experience time and space based writing. journalistic writing about war, and share their habits of Chinese readers, and their exposure Tamar Merin and Matan Hermoni in Guide: Galit Dahan Carlibach experiences as battlefield writers. to this literature in light of censorship in conversation with Bilhah Ben-Eliyahu. What In collaboration with “Hamegera”, Kinneret- The event will be held in English China. happens when the muses call just when the Zmora-Dvir Creative Writing School In collaboration with the Embassy of the United The conversation will be held in English and kids are sick? About the good and the not States and the American Center Chinese. Interpreter: Ohad Nevo so good moments in the daily life of two 10:00-10:45 / Creative Couples authors, who also happen to be married to – Children’s Edition | Going on 17:15-18:30 / From Teheran to Sderot: 19:00-20:00 / A Literary Evening at each other. Adventures with and Imaginary Cities | Dorit Rabinyan, Lila Tmol Shilshom | Anita Desai and Kiran Ayelet Sade Azam Zanganeh, and Shimon Adaf Desai 11:00-12:00 / Authors Talking Art: The Meir Shalev and Ayelet Sade will tell the Shlomzion Kenan will talk with Dorit An intimate evening with award-winning Writers Festival at the Israel Museum children tales of little and big adventures, Rabinyan, Shimon Adaf, and Lila Azam authors Anita Desai and Kiran Desai. A rare Creative Couples | Yaara Shehori and and read from Sade’s book Born from a Zanganeh (France/Iran), an Iranian novelist opportunity to meet two renowned writers Guy Ben-Ner, The Lives of Others Crocodile Egg, and from Shalev’s books The who was raised in Paris, about the hidden in an informal setting, and hear first-hand A conversation with Yaara Shehori, a Engine That Wanted to Go to Rome, and A paths that connect imaginary cities and lost about their life and their writing. With an novelist and an editor, and Guy Ben-Ner, Louse Named Thelma. homes, and about the mark that they leave introduction by Dr. Ruben Borg, head of the an acclaimed video artist. The two will talk For 5-8 year olds on language. English Department at the Hebrew University, about mutual influences and meeting points Greetings: Dr. Michael Borchard, director of followed by an interview and a conversation between their medium of choice, as well 11:00-12:00 / A. B. Yehoshua and Ruby Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Israel with the audience. as the dialogue between the written text Namdar – Reconciliation Talk Moderator: Shlomzion Kenan Moderator: Noa Erez and the image. The conversation will be In the 2014 Writers Festival, A. B. Yehoshua The event will be held in English Tmol Shilshom Café, 5 Yoel Solomon St., In collaboration with Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung accompanied by a screening of excerpts from referred to Diaspora Jews as “partial” Jews Israel Jerusalem Ben-Ner’s videos. as opposed to the “complete” Jews living in Tickets will be available on site Moderator: Dr. Amitai Mendelsohn Israel. Ruby Namdar (USA), an Israeli novelist The event will be held in English Decoded: Espionage and The Israel Museum, Jerusalem who has been living in the US for many years, 19:00-20:00 / In collaboration with the Beracha Foundation Intelligence in China Meeting point: entrance pavilion. We recommend spoke out against this perception. Now, the that you arrive 15 minutes early two meet for a “reconciliation talk”. Or is it? Mai Jia in conversation with Yossi 19:00-20:30 / Happy Ending Jerusalem Tickets are available by phone: 02-6771300 on the Moderator: Maya Sela Melman New York’s successful literary series Museum website, or at the box office Mai Jia (China), one of China’s most In collaboration with the Israel Museum, Jerusalem comes to Mishkenot Sha’ananim successful novelists, has served for years in A new international collaboration with New 12:30-13:30 / Human Nature | Meir Shalev in conversation with Jesús the Chinese intelligence service. Following York’s successful literary series, Happy 11:15-12:15 / A Family Affair | Gary his book Decoded, Mai will talk with Yossi Ending, which combines literature, music, Shteyngart and Etgar Keret in Carrasco Melman about the world of intelligence, the Meir Shalev and Jesús Carrasco (Spain) in a and art on one stage. conversation with Dikla Keidar role of Israeli Mossad in the book, and about conversation about the cruelty of nature and Is there such a thing as a “Jewish family?” the connection between fiction and reality. Happy Ending Jerusalem #1 Following their autobiographical novels Little the cruelty of mankind, which stand at the The conversation will be held in English and Hosted by the series’ curator Amanda Stern Failure and The Seven Good Years, Gary heart of Carrasco’s beautiful debut novel Out Chinese. Interpreter: Ohad Nevo (USA), with Anthony Marra (USA), Etgar Shteyngart (USA) and Etgar Keret will talk in the Open, as well as Shalev’s latest novel Keret, Colum McCann (Ireland), and Nell with Dikla Keidar about family stories that Two She-Bears. 19:30-20:30 / Unbidden Stories | Zink (USA/Germany) are best left untold. Moderator: Einat Talmon Orly Castel Bloom and Nell Zink in The event will be held in English Music: Tamar Eisenman The event will be held in English conversation with Rana Werbin In collaboration with Genesis Philanthropy Group In collaboration with the Cervantes Institute on the Illustrator: Michal Bonano occasion of the 30th anniversary of establishing An unusual meeting of two unconventional The event will be held in English In collaboration with the Embassy of the United States and the American Center diplomatic relations between Israel and Spain novelists: Orly Castel Bloom, recipient of In collaboration with the Embassy of the United the 2016 Sapir Award, and Nell Zink (USA/ States and the American Center 12:30-14:00 / Remembering 13:00-14:00 / Love and the City | Germany), a new and surprising star in the Almost Everything | A special Words Zeruya Shalev and Shelly Oria international literary world. The two will talk 20:30-22:00 / A Tribute to Sami with Rana Werbin about migrating birds, Michael and Music session with Ehud Banai Originally written in English, Shelly Oria’s book New York 1 0 was published exceptional women, and the stories that A tribute celebrating the writer Sami The novelist and musician Ehud Banai in in the US before it was translated into take shape in the twilight zone between the Michael on the occasion of his 90th birthday. a first of its kind literary-musical session, in Hebrew and released in Israel. Oria, who lives imagination and reality. Turning a spotlight on poetry, this special which he will talk about his art and allow the in New York, will talk with Zeruya Shalev, one The event will be held in English evening will feature some of Israel’s most audience to see and hear how the worlds of of Israel’s most internationally acclaimed acclaimed poets, who will dedicate their word and sound merge into one another. contemporary writers, about love, family, and 21:00-23:00 / Happy Ending Jerusalem poems to Michael, and debut new works writing that crosses borders and continents. | New York’s successful literary series created especially for the event. Special Moderator: Arik Glasner comes to Mishkenot Sha’ananim performances by Arkady Duchin and the Saturday, 28.5 A new international collaboration with New dancer Bar Alteras. York’s successful literary series, Happy With the poets Noam Partom, Shlomi 16:00-19:00 / Story Booth | Alex Ending, which combines literature, music, Hatuka, Ronny Someck, and Tal Nitzan Epstein 10:00-11:00 / Hit-Lit | Kong Fu with and art on one stage. Music: Arkady Duchin | Dance: Bar Alteras The novelist Alex Epstein offers festival Asaf Schurr and Dror Mishani In collaboration with the Embassy of the United Reading: Ofer Shalchin | Naration: Rasha visitors a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: to Known mostly as an acclaimed novelist, States and the American Center Nahas | Emcee: Liad Mudrik gain immortality by becoming a character in Asaf Schurr also practices and teaches non- his stories. classical Kung Fu. Schurr will talk with Dror Free. Registration required. Happy Ending Jerusalem #2 – Festival Mishani about the permeation of violence In collaboration with Genesis Philanthropy Group Closing Event Friday, 27.5 into literary writing and how martial arts and and the Beracha Foundation Hosted by the series’ curator Amanda Stern writing influence one another. Schurr will (USA), with Alex Epstein, Shelly Oria (USA/ invite the audience to punch equipment Israel), and Gary Shteyngart (USA) 10:00-12:00 / Story Booth | Alex provided on site, as well as each other, and Music: Yali Sobol Epstein occasional literary critics. Wear comfortable Illustrator: Marina Grechanik The novelist Alex Epstein offers festival clothes! The event will be held in English visitors a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: to In collaboration with the Embassy of the United gain immortality by becoming a character in States and the American Center

For the full program and tickets: *6226 mishkenot.org.il/writersfestival/en SelectedEvents

Happy Ending #1 Composer and conductor: Shlomi Frige Reading: Shira Geffen, Uri Hochman With the writers Anthony Marra, Etgar Keret, Colum Piano: Andy Feldbau McCann, and Nell Zink Cantilena Ensemble: Music: Tamar Eisenman | Illustrator: Michal Bonano Hadar Beiser, soprano Thursday, 26.5 | 19:00 Dana Kazma, mezzo soprano Festival Tent, Terraza de los Reyes de España, Mishkenot Sha’ananim Inbal Shilor, alt For children aged 5-9 Happy Ending #2 – Festival Closing Event Thursday, 26.5 | 12:00 Gilbert De Botton Auditorium, Mishkenot Sha’ananim With the writers Alex Epstein, Shelly Oria, and Ehud Banai | Photo: Revital Topiol Gary Shteyngart Words and Music with Music: Yali Sobol | Illustrator: Marina Grechanik Exhibition Ehud Banai Saturday, 28.5 | 21:00 Logic has Its Own Sorrow Festival Tent, Terraza de los Reyes de España, Mishkenot Sha’ananim Yair Garbuz The musician and novelist Ehud Banai in a literary- musical session, in which he will talk about his work (The events will be held in English) Yair Garbuz, one of and allow the audience to see and hear how the Israel’s leading artists, in worlds of word and sound merge into one another. a new solo exhibition. It Friday, 27.5 | 12:30-14:00 is possible to view the Festival Tent, Terraza de los Reyes de España, paintings in the exhibition Mishkenot Sha’ananim Logic has Its Own Happy Ending Sorrow as an attempt to harness the power of New York’s successful literary series humor and logic in order comes to Mishkenot Sha’ananim to cope with the drama of “the here and now”. The festival’s first ever international collaboration The grim situations are Yair Garbuz | Photo: Ran Erde with New York’s Successful literary series Happy veiled by melancholic self- Ending. The series, which combines literature, music, Etgar Keret | Photo: Ewa Szatybelko Gary Shteyngart | Photo: Brigitte Lascombe deprecating humor, while the parodies, satires, and and art on one stage, hosted the finest writers, jokes make direct references to the history of art and musicians and illustrators, including Zadie Smith, Moonless Night: Shlomi Frige and the history of Israel. Lena Dunham, Moby, Laurie Anderson, Suzanne Shira Geffen in a Literary-Musical The exhibition opening reception will be followed by a Vega and Gary Shteyngart. The series is famous Show for Children conversation between Garbuz and the writer Shimon for its wild and witty humor and events that tend to Adaf. take unexpected and exciting turns. Its founder and The Writers Festival presents a special collaboration between Shira Geffen and the composer Shlomi Exhibition opening event: curator, Amanda Stern, asks each writer to take a risk Wednesday, 25.5 | 17:30 and do something on stage they have never done Frige. Geffen will read from her beloved book Dwek Gallery, Mishkenot Sha’ananim before. No one knows what they will do, not even The Heart-Shaped Leaf with Frige’s musical Conversation: Stern, making each night in the series surprising and accompaniment. The reading will be followed by the DAVID HALIVA Wednesday, 25.5 | 18:00-19:00 different. The event is accompanied by live music and premiere of an opera for children created by Frige, Gilbert De Botton Auditorium, Mishkenot Sha’ananim an artist who draws the show as it unfolds while the based on Etgar Keret and Geffen’s book Moonless results are projected in real time on a screen. Night. The piece will be performed by a chamber ensemble. Program is subject to change

For the full program and tickets: *6226 mishkenot.org.il/writersfestival/en