Russian Immigrant Founds Thriving Children's Book Festival in Israel
Natalia Brazhnikova, a former banker from Moscow, established the "In a Suitcase" (V Chemodane) festival of contemporary Russian-language children's literature in Jerusalem in the summer of 2022, just two months after her family's immigration to Israel. The festival, which Brazhnikova conceived of before moving, aims to connect Russian-speaking immigrant families with literature and foster a sense of community. The upcoming thirteenth iteration of the festival on September 29th will return to its original venue, the Menahem Begin Heritage Center.
Brazhnikova, who previously worked in publishing at "Samokat" for over six years, found inspiration for the festival in her own experiences raising children and her passion for modern children's literature, which she believes helps address complex issues. Despite the significant stress of immigrating to Israel, including her son facing language barriers and bullying, Brazhnikova pursued her festival idea, rallying support from Russian-speaking individuals, independent bookstores, and other immigrants with professional backgrounds in literature and culture.
The first festival, organized in just two months, attracted approximately 1,500 guests, demonstrating a strong demand for Russian-language children's books and family activities. The name "In a Suitcase" reflects the immigrant experience of trying to pack one's life into limited space, with books often being cherished, heavy items that bridge past and present.
Over four years, the festival has expanded from children's literature to include a broad family program with performances, workshops, lectures, and meetings with authors. It has also grown into a significant community event, facilitating connections between publishers, booksellers, and cultural figures, and incorporating elements of Israeli history and traditions. A youth-led animation festival, ANITIME, has also emerged from the initiative.
The September 29th festival in Jerusalem will feature a full day of events, including children's plays, creative workshops, quests, lectures, and a book market. Highlights include a theatrical reading by Sergey Karaban and Dina Berdnikova, a pirate quest for children, and a science show by Ilya Kolmanovsky, who is traveling from London. Brazhnikova expressed that while she might advise her past self to slow down during the initial immigration process, she would not abandon the idea of the festival, seeing it as a way to find one's place and build connections in a new country.
