Getting the word out: The Israeli Institute for Hebrew Literature flies the flag in Frankfurt

The Israeli Institute for Hebrew Literature, led by CEO Sigalit Gelfand, prepares for the Frankfurt Book Fair (Oct. 7-11), where Israel will have a significant presence. The fair's organizers scheduled Oct. 7 as a work day in a gesture of goodwill, and the mayor of Frankfurt plans to visit the Israeli pavilion. The institute is launching a Hebrew Literature Translation Fund to help Israeli books reach global readers, taking 40 books for adults and children. Gelfand notes security measures, including hired undercover security, and reports warm reception at last year's pavilion.

The Israeli Institute for Hebrew Literature, under CEO Sigalit Gelfand, is gearing up for a prominent role at the Frankfurt Book Fair, the world's largest literary gathering, running Oct. 7-11 in Germany. In a notable gesture of goodwill, the fair's organizers and the Frankfurt municipality scheduled Oct. 7 as a work day rather than a celebration day, specifically to accommodate the Israeli contingent. The mayor of Frankfurt has requested to visit the Israeli pavilion on that date. Gelfand, joined by literary editor Dr. Oded Wolkstein and content manager Dana Simhayof-Shahaf, is spearheading Israel's presence. The institute is launching the Hebrew Literature Translation Fund, supported by private donors, to help Israeli books reach international readers by subsidizing translation costs, addressing a gap where foreign publishers have shown interest but lacked funding. The institute is bringing 40 books for adults, youth, and children, featuring authors such as Haggai Linik, Michal Zamir, Moshe Suissa, Yonatan Sagiv, Ruth Margalit, Nurit Zarchi, Avihai Nizri, and Hava Havushi. Gelfand notes that meetings with publishers and agents have been set up without opposition, and that publishers look for an 'Israeli flavor' in stories. Security measures include hired undercover security in addition to fair-provided security. Over 250,000 visitors are expected. The article frames Israeli literature as a soft-power tool that can present a different face of Israel to the world.