Press Release: Events
The Palestine Festival Of Literature
Posted at 8:08PM Tuesday 20 Apr 2010
The third Palestine Festival of Literature (PalFest) is announced today and takes place from 1st to 6th May 2010. A host of international writers and artists will participate this year including Susan Abulhawa, Taha Muhammad Ali, Suad Amiry, Victoria Brittain, Susannah Clapp, Najwan Darwish, Falastine Dwikat, Geoff Dyer, Jillian Edelstein, Rose Fenton, Adam Foulds, Suheir Hammad, Nathalie Handal, Selina Hastings, Rachel Holmes, May Jayyusi, Amani Juneidi, Remi Kanazi, Rachid Koraïchi, Nancy Kricorian, Henning Mankell, Hisham Matar, Ritu Menon, Pankaj Mishra, Sonia Nimr, Eugene Schoulgin, Raja Shehadeh, Hala Shrouf, Mahmoud Shukair, William Sutcliffe, James Wood, members of the Wildworks theatre company, Amir Nizar Zuabi, and festival founder Ahdaf Soueif. PalFest is also delighted to welcome new Patrons Philip Pullman and Emma Thompson. They join a distinguished group of artists who support PalFest's aim to be an affirmation of "the power of culture over the culture of power". PalFest's inaugural festival was held in 2008 reaching audiences of thousands in Jerusalem, Ramallah and Bethlehem. In 2009 the festival expanded to include events in Jenin and al-Khalil/Hebron. Because of the difficulties faced by Palestinians trying to travel in their country under military occupation, PalFest travels to different cities and will once again embark on a tour of the West Bank - taking in Jerusalem, Ramallah, Jenin, Hebron, Bethlehem and Nablus. Chair and Founder of PalFest, Ahdaf Soueif, says: "There's tremendous energy to PalFest, and huge amounts of goodwill pushing it forward and encouraging it to grow. This is a literary festival that makes a difference, both to the hosts and to the visitors." Author Michael Palin, who participated in PalFest 2009 said: "It's been an eye-opening experience for me, and I feel proud of my fellow writers and travelers who have shared it with me. And proud too, of the Palestinians we've met, who care so much and work so hard to keep Palestine alive." Philip Pullman, PalFest Patron and author says: "Carrying words from one mind to another is one of the most important things that human beings can do. Every literary act, whether its a great epic poem or an honest piece of journalism or a simple nonsense tale for children is a blow against the forces of stupidity and ignorance and darkness - and we should esteem them and treasure them and defend them all to the same degree. The Palestine Festival of Literature exists to do just that - and I salute it for its work. Not only this year but for as long as it's necessary." Sandra Hamrouni, Director Palestinian Territories, British Council says:"The British Council has supported PalFest since it was created 3 years ago because we believe that it can play an important cultural and educational role in creating relationships and opportunities for collaboration between international writers and audiences in Palestine. It also enables young Palestinians to access the international experience by participating in the festival's readings, discussions and workshops, all aimed at celebrating literature. PalFest presents a unique opportunity for the participating international writers to get first hand information about Palestine, its people and culture that they can share with audiences around the world." Ziad Khalaf, Director of the A.M. Qattan Foundation says: "In PalFest we see an important partner that has been able to create an invaluable forum for literary exchange between writers in Palestine, the UK and elsewhere. PalFest is also an act of solidarity with the Palestinian people, which introduces a number of internationally reputed writers to the Palestinian reality while also promoting Palestinian writers overseas." PalFest 2010 is organised in partnership with The Arab Fund for Arts and Culture, the British Council, the Anna Lindh Foundation, Project Hope, Prospero World Limited, the A. M. Qattan Foundation, the Sigrid Rausing Trust and Yabous Productions.
|
