Acclaimed Italian Author Erri De Luca to Headline International Writers Festival in Jerusalem

Jerusalem is set to host the International Writers Festival from May 25-28, bringing together a distinguished roster of global and Israeli literary talent. Among the international guests is the celebrated Italian novelist and poet Erri De Luca, known for his profound engagement with biblical Hebrew and Jewish texts.

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In the past, as a guest in Israel, I felt the deep noise of a conflict in formation, the suspended danger to the lives of civilians. My impression today is that Israel is facing a war that may possibly be the last... I am coming to share this moment with the Israeli public – and to speak in it about all the other matters, because literature is all the other matters.

The festival, supported by the Jerusalem Foundation, aims to foster dialogue between prize-winning writers from across the world and leading Israeli authors, poets, journalists, and artists. De Luca's participation, in a program titled “From Naples to Jerusalem,” will involve a discussion with Prof. Uri S. Cohen on the literary and cultural landscape of contemporary Italy and his own works, including a forthcoming Hebrew translation.

De Luca's decision to attend Israel's festival carries particular weight. He noted his past impressions of Israel, sensing a "deep noise of a conflict in formation" and the "suspended danger to the lives of civilians." His current visit, he stated, is to "share this moment with the Israeli public – and to speak in it about all the other matters, because literature is all the other matters."

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The search for guests for this year’s festival was not simple, to say the least, and included rejections and cancellations. Israel’s status in the world continues to affect the literary world as well, which we still hope will remain independent and free of political pressures and influences, out of a belief that literature has no borders and must be available to all.

Festival director Julia Fermentto-Tzaisler acknowledged the challenges in curating this year's guest list, citing the impact of Israel's international standing on the literary world. Despite rejections and cancellations, she praised writers like De Luca for finding the "courage" to engage with Israeli culture, emphasizing the festival's hope that literature can transcend political boundaries. The event will also include a closing session honoring former hostage Eli Sharabi, who will discuss his memoir.

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one of Italy’s leading writers, who connected himself to Jewish heritage through language.