Books and Israel: Why the Jerusalem Fair Is More Than a Commercial Event

LOGOS Books and Israel: Why the Jerusalem fair is more than a commercial event

Zev Birger The Jewish people have traditionally been called the "People of the Book". That tradition is being carried on in many ways in the modern state of Israel. The ingathering of Jews from over 100 differ ent cultures and communities around the world has created a heterogeneous society that is as problem atic as it is fascinating. One of the most important binding elements in this vibrant mix of cultures is A native of Lithuania, Zev Birger the written word. From school textbooks to guides emigrated to Israel in 1947. In for adults trying to find their feet in the new coun the course of a varied career, he try, books are an essential aid to absorbing the influx of newcomers. Books written by Israeli has been Deputy Director authors are equally important in consolidating and General of the Ministry of Trade transmitting what modern Israeli culture is all and Industry; Director of the about. Writers and books are held in very high Israel Film Center; and Director esteem in Israel, which has one of the highest per of the Film Marketing Division of capita reading percentages in the world. So, thirty years ago, the idea of holding a ICM in Paris. Today he is book fair amid this multi-cultural hodgepodge of Director of Tourism and Industry people from all over the world made both national for the Municipality of Jerusalem and international sense. The first Jerusalem Inter and Special Adviser to the Mayor national Book Fair (JIBE) was held in April 1963. The sixteenth is taking place in the same month in of Jerusalem, Teddy KoUek. In 1993, both opening symbolically at the end of this role, Birger serves as Holocaust and Martyr's Remembrance Day and Chairman and Managing Director closing on the eve of Memorial Day. Jerusalem's of the Jerusalem International Mayor in 1963, Mordechai Ish Shalom, when open Book Fair. ing the fair, referred to the Remembrance Day of the Holocaust, stressing that the survivors of the holocaust and the generations after "continue to weave the culture of the People of the Book in the City of Peace and they stretch out their hands to all human beings in brotherhood and peace." Despite the fact that the time and place were ripe in 1963 for the new fair, there was a dizzy ing array of obstacles to be oveicome in organizing the event. For one thing, Jerusalem is far away. This is the volatile Middle East, a scene of political ten sions and conflicts. But, Jeiusalem, City of the Book, was a natural venue for an international book

fair and could offer the right mix of business and During the early days of the fair, it was decided to culture. develop it into an international cultural event, the The initial concept was to establish a main features of which are: commercial fair, but it very quickly became a cul tural event as well, and this helped its growth firom • The Jerusalem Prize is Israel's only international several hundred publishing houses representing literary award. It is presented to writers whose twenty-two countries in 1963 to 1,000 publishing work expresses the idea of "the Freedom of the houses from over forty countries in 1993. About Individual in Society". The apolitical nature of 100,000 titles are on display at the 1993 event. this prize is illustrated by the list of recipients: Since the fair's early days, the number of visitors has Stefan Heym (1993), Zbigniew Herbert increased three-fold and now approaches 60,000. (1991), Ernesto Sabato (1989), J M Coetzee Participating publishers from outside Israel come (1987), Milan Kundera (1985), V S Naipaul mostly from the United States, Western and East (1983), Graham Greene (1981), Isaiah Berlin ern Europe, Russia, South America and Africa. (1979), Octavio Paz (1977), Simone de Beau- Quite a few university presses and renowned anti voir (1975), Eugene lonesco (1973), Jorge Luis quarian houses are regular exhibitors. Borges (1971), Ignazio Silone (1969), Andre The fair's growth in many ways has mir Schwarz-Bart (1967), Max Frisch (1965) and rored the growth of the country. But growth per se Bertrand Russell (1963). is less important than the fair's central place in and • The Editorial Fellowship Program , a meeting influence on Israeli life. Israelis of all ages enjoy ground for up-and-coming editors, is eight coming to the fair, just to be able to see a unique years old. Editors with more than six and less collection of books representing different cultures. than twelve years of experience are invited to One visitor said that going round the JIBE exhibits become acquainted with Israeli publishing and was his way of touring the world. The number of to meet their international colleagues. For fair-goers bears witness to the Israeli love of books Israeli publishers, this program is an opportu and reading. nity to introduce new Israeli writers to an Internationally, the fair has become a international readership. At the 1993 Fair, this desirable meeting place not just for publishers, but distinguished program will be sponsored by the for authors and editors who find it a rare combina Holtzbrinck Publishing Group. tion of a commercial venture and an international • The 1993 Fair includes a seminar on The Edi cultural gathering. "Big enough to be businesslike, tor in the Marketplace. Alumni of the Editorial and small enough to be humane", is the way one Fellowship Program will discuss how the tradi publisher characterizes the fair. An American pub tional role of the editor has extended from tex lisher who has attended the JIBE for twenty-six tual and authorial overseeing to include a years says that it "recharges his creative batteries". recognition and mastery of marketing and There are also some publishing professionals who sales; and whether this is good or bad. attend the fair because of the magic of the city of • The Aspen Institute - Jerusalem International Jerusalem and because they have made friends in Book Fair Forum is a round-table dialog among Israel. leaders in publishing and communications. It is quite difficult to measure the JlBF's Open to the public as well as to publishing commercial impact. Business deals are made not professionals, the forums feature subjects of only in the halls of the Jerusalem Convention Cen worldwide concern. The theme of the 1993 ter, but during lunches, dinners and jaunts through forum is "The Writer as Conscience of the Jerusalem which many visitors find to be their most World". Fifteen world-renowned authors and productive working hours. Even in a world where experts will discuss the moral role and motiva deals are made by fax and phone, there is no substi tion of the author historically and in contem tute for human contact. The chance to meet in a porary society. Does literature have a duty to relaxed setting and hear new concepts and ideas serve as a conscience to society? What com rarely occurs in the large, often frenetic, book fairs. promises are inappropriate for an author?