Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., May 13, 2008 Iyyar 8, 5768 | | Israel Time: 10:35 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Authors Jonathan Safran Foer, Nicole Krauss and Nathan Englander at the opening ceremony of the writers' conference. (Emil Salman / Jini) Last update - 10:53 12/05/2008 J'lem writers conference offers breather from political turmoil By Shiri Lev-Ari Tags: Jerusalem, Nadine Gordimer  In a country as conflicted as Israel, hosting a group of highly respected authors from around the world who come to talk about literature and life is not a feat to be taken for granted. So when hundreds of people gathered in the Konrad Adenauer Conference Center Sunday for the opening of the International Writers Festival in Jerusalem, the first such meeting to take place in Israel, it looked almost like a dream. The writers festival - which features authors including South African Nobel Prize laureate Nadine Gordimer; U.S. Jewish writers Anita Diamant, Jonathan Safran Foer, Nicole Krauss and Nathan Englander; and writers from Portugal, the Netherlands and Albania - is taking place the same week that U.S. President George W. Bush is visiting Israel. Advertisement It is also happening as the Israeli public gets riled up over the latest corruption investigation against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Nonetheless, the conference represents a snippet of normalcy in the heart of Jerusalem - or at least an aspiration toward normalcy. The opening ceremony took place outside the walls of the Old City, where most of the writers who spoke had no fears about discussing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But they did not forget the written word, which cries out over injustice, yet also provides consolation. President Shimon Peres offered a personal touch. "What does a book give me? It redeems me from isolation," he said. "Every person is alone, and it is really not possible to tell anyone the secret things. And suddenly you read a book and discover that people like you have fears, aches, doubts, just like you. I go out to the world with the feeling that I am alone, but not lonely, not unusual." Baghdad-born Israeli writer Eli Amir, who welcomed the participants on behalf of the Israeli authors, used his platform for some straight talking. "Israel is the country of immigrants and refugees, survivors and displaced people from all over the world," he said. "We weren't occupiers, and we didn't want to be occupiers. We were thrown into a historic situation that we have not managed to get out of. We are a torn nation. The occupation is destroying us. We have no right to control another nation. Our leaders and the leaders of the Palestinian people must do everything to get out of this situation." One of Israel's most venerated authors, Amos Oz, presented an award to a French editor who fell in love with Israeli literature and had many books translated into French. "These are years during which it is not easy to be an Israeli," said Oz after nearby church bells signaled the hour. "It isn't easy to love Israel and it isn't easy to be a friend of Israel. I must personally admit that I love Israel even when I can't stand it. It's no coincidence that during a year when it's tough to love Israel, it's easier to love its literature. Israeli literature delivers the bill to the Israeli people - for the subjugation of the Palestinians, the occupation, the wars, the internal social injustices, book after book, creation after creation." Related articles: Jewish American authors to attend Jerusalem writers festival Nadine Gordimer defends decision to attend J'lem writers conference Facing widespread pressure, Nadine Gordimer may pull out of Israel writers meet More Jewish World news and features Bookmark to del.icio.us   Death of a heroine Irena Sendler, who saved 2,500 Jews during the Holocaust, dies at 98. Apocalyptic tidings Holy See warns of nightmarish perils if Mideast nuclear arms race is not halted.   1.   People like shimon peres should not be redeemed! They should be 13:10  |  lakshmi 12/05/08   2.   Political turmoil 17:54  |  MiriAM 12/05/08   3.   Lakshmi one sided prejudice blinds! 07:57  |  Mae White 13/05/08

Read & React Zvi Bar'el: Olmert could still make peace with Syria, PA Responses: 6 Woman, 70, killed as Qassam strikes Negev home Responses: 165 Lebanese army says will use force from Tues. to stop fighting Responses: 12 Israel demands Hamas truce bid include prisoner swap Responses: 3 Bush to Haaretz: PM is 'honest guy' and strategic thinker Responses: 32 Rosner's Domain "Double-ness, lying and imposture have a special significance for an American Jew" Rosner's Guest: The Jewish story in 6 words Obama: Jewish state is a fundamentally just idea (WTR) Interview with Bush: the transcript Can Israel Survive for Another 60 Years? (WTR) More Headlines 03:45 Bush to Haaretz: Peace process not contingent on one man 08:56 Israel demands pending Hamas truce include Shalit's release 09:29 Police search Jerusalem City Hall for proof Olmert took bribes 09:30 Lebanon army says will use force from Tues. to stop fighting 02:45 ANALYSIS / In Lebanon, the new reality has taken over 09:31 Jerusalem braces for traffic chaos as Peres hosts world leaders 06:37 Policy institute warns of Saudi, Iranian anti-Semitic threat 09:33 Hallmark to produce TV movie on Holocaust heroine Irena Sendler 06:14 2,100-year-old Isaiah Scroll on rare public display for two months 08:18 Woman killed as rocket directly hits Negev home Previous Editions Select Day 12 may 11 may 09 may 08 may 07 may 06 may 05 may 04 may 02 may 01 may 30 apr 29 apr

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