International Writer's Festival a hit in Jerusalem | ISRAELITY

Etgar Keret

Gary Shteyngart

The International Writer?s Festival has returned to Jerusalem packing heat. The biennial event, which kicked off on Monday, has nearly as many international writers present as Israelis, many of whom defied pressure back home to steer clear of Israel, according to Uri Dromi, director general of Mishkenot Sha?ananim, the main location of the festival (events are also taking place at cafes, cinemas and even the Mahane Yehuda market all during the week).

Dromi was speaking at the opening to an enjoyable, often raucously funny meet-up between American writer Gary Shteyngart and Israeli surreal short story?ist Etgar Keret. My wife and I always try to attend at least one session during the festival, as much for the atmosphere ? hundreds of Israelis who have come together for literature! ? as well as the specific authors.

At the sold out dialogue between Keret and Shteyngart, the latter read from his latest book, ?Super Sad True Love Story,? set in a dystopian future where everyone wears a necklace of sorts that broadcasts one?s social status and financial status ? it?s Facebook gone crazy with any hints of privacy entirely eviscerated.

Keret mostly played the interviewer although he peppered his questions with a few stories of his own, mostly about his father who passed away six weeks ago. In a touching and original way, Keret has replaced the religious ?Kaddish? that is traditionally said for a year after a parent dies with a pledge to speak about his dad in any public appearance he makes. His main story at the Shteyngart meet-up involved cancer, coughing and coffee.

The Mishkenot Sha?ananim setting is, to indulge in a clich?, picture perfect. Our session was held in a large white tent erected specially for the festival, open on one side, with a spectacular view of the Old City.

Other international writers appearing at the festival include Lukas Barfuss from Switzerland, Aimee Bender from the U.S. (whose latest book has the unflappable title ?The Girl with the Flammable Skirt?), Norwegian crime writer Jo Nesbo, and Tracy Chevalier whose best known work, ?The Girl with the Pearl Earring,??sold four million copies and was made into a successful movie.

Tracy Chevalier

Chevalier was in the audience for the Shteyngart?Keret shindig, which was a treat for me because we both went to Oberlin College, graduating a year apart. I was sure that we must have known each other (I was a Creative Writing major, she was in the English department), but alas, it seems we never crossed paths and my chance at reminiscing with a true literary celebrity was reduced to a few friendly words and some pleasant small talk.

If you?re in Jerusalem and you have an hour or two to spare, the International Writer?s Festival continues until Thursday.

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