Hebrew Book Week
Encyclopedia
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
celebrating Hebrew literature
Hebrew literature
Hebrew literature consists of ancient, medieval, and modern writings in the Hebrew language. It is one of the primary forms of Jewish literature, though there have been cases of literature written in Hebrew by non-Jews...
.
History
Hebrew Book Week evolved from a one-day event on Rothschild BoulevardRothschild Boulevard
Rothschild Boulevard is one of the principal streets in the center of Tel Aviv, Israel, beginning in Neve Tzedek at its southwestern edge and running north to Habima Theatre. It is one of the busiest and most expensive streets in the city, being one of the city's main tourist attractions...
in Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv , officially Tel Aviv-Yafo , is the second most populous city in Israel, with a population of 404,400 on a land area of . The city is located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline in west-central Israel. It is the largest and most populous city in the metropolitan area of Gush Dan, with...
organized by Bracha Peli
Bracha Peli
Bracha Peli was the owner of Massada, a publishing company in Israel, and the driving force behind the publication of The General Encyclopedia and Encyclopaedia Hebraica. She is credited with starting Israel's annual Hebrew Book Week. The Encyclopaedia Hebraica project began using Bracha Peli's...
, founder of Masada Press, to promote book sales in 1926.
During Hebrew Book Week, outdoor book fairs are held all over the country and publishing companies sell their books at a discount. Bookstores in Israel typically offer sales during this time which can last up to a month. In recent years, Hebrew Book Week has been extended to ten days.
In addition to book sales, a variety of literary events are held during Book Week, such as get-togethers with authors and public readings. The award ceremony for the Sapir Prize
Sapir Prize
The Sapir Prize for Literature of Israel is a prestigious annual literary award presented for a work of fine literature. The prize is awarded by Mifal Hapayis , and is a part of the organization's cultural initiatives...
take place during Hebrew Book Week. There is also a heightened level of attention paid to literature in the media.
Venues in Jerusalem have included the Israel Museum
Israel Museum
The Israel Museum, Jerusalem was founded in 1965 as Israel's national museum. It is situated on a hill in the Givat Ram neighborhood of Jerusalem, near the Bible Lands Museum, the Knesset, the Israeli Supreme Court, and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem....
, Liberty Bell Park, Safra Square
Safra Square
Safra Square is Jerusalem's city hall public square named after Jacob and Esther Safra, parents of Edmond J. Safra, a Jewish philanthropist who contributed generously to the renovation of downtown Jerusalem.-Location:...
and the old Jerusalem Railway Station
Jerusalem Railway Station
The Jerusalem Railway Station is a former railway station located in the area between Hebron Road and Bethlehem Road, near the German Colony of Jerusalem, Israel. It was part of the Jaffa–Jerusalem railway until its closure in 1998...
. The fair in Tel Aviv takes places at Rabin Square
Rabin Square
Rabin Square , formerly Kings of Israel Square , is the largest open public city square in central Tel Aviv, Israel. Over the years it has been the site of numerous political rallies, parades, and other public events...
.
External links
- Hebrew Book Week Homepage (web site in Hebrew)
- Ways To "Green" Hebrew Book Week
- Hebrew Book Week to open June 7, Yedioth AhronothYedioth AhronothYedioth Ahronoth is a daily newspaper published in Tel Aviv, Israel. Since the 1970s, it has been the most widely circulated paper in Israel. In a TGI survey comparing the last half of 2009 with the same period in 2008, Yedioth Ahronoth retained the title of most widely read newspaper in Israel...
- Book Watch: 'For the sake of the book', The Jerusalem Post