Israeli Literature Faces Cultural Boycott at Frankfurt Book Fair

The Frankfurt Book Fair, a long-standing tradition for the Israeli literary community, has seen a significant decline in interest in contemporary Israeli literature since the events of October 7th and the subsequent war. Israeli authors, publishers, and agents report a near-complete lack of engagement, with only a few established writers like David Grossman, Zeruya Shalev, and Etgar Keret maintaining a consistent international audience. Most Israeli authors are currently contending with what they describe as an ongoing cultural boycott.

Ahead of the October fair, the Institute for the Translation of Hebrew Literature, supported by the Ministry of Culture, expanded its presence with a larger-than-usual pavilion. The institute funded the participation of four Israeli publishing houses, Katzaris, HaStantza, Pardes, and Lama for Children's Books, showcasing around 40 books. However, the pavilion's state funding has made foreign publishers hesitant to engage, with one industry veteran noting last year's pavilion was largely empty except for security personnel.

In response to these challenges, the Institute launched a translation grant in June to provide financial support to foreign publishers interested in releasing Israeli books, covering translation and public relations costs. This initiative, funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and private sources, aims to match the standard European practice. The Ministry of Culture's budget for the institute has nearly doubled to approximately 2.4 million shekels this year, under the tenure of former Culture Minister Miki Zohar.

Sigalit Gelfand, Director General of the Institute, emphasized the importance of maintaining a presence at the fair, stating that while politics are evident, they hosted high-ranking cultural officials from Germany and the Czech Republic, who expressed a desire to aid Hebrew literature. Collaborative projects with Germany and the Czech Republic are planned for 2027 to help promote Israeli books among German publishers. Despite these efforts, publishers remain cautious due to economic or political reasons, as exemplified by a New York publisher who canceled the release of Einat Yakir's translated book, citing a lack of audience and critical space.

Oded Wolkstein, the Institute's Editor-in-Chief, noted that while some publishers and agents expressed genuine interest, the gap between initial meetings and actual contracts is substantial. He questioned how many would take the risk of publishing an Israeli book at this time. The agency of Devora Harris also reported difficulties, with no significant translation rights sales for books presented by the Institute in recent years. The trend also shows fewer foreign books being translated into Hebrew, with a focus on public domain works and classics rather than contemporary Israeli authors.

Orna Landau, an author and publisher, attended the fair with low expectations due to anticipated protests. While a demonstration did occur and a major German newspaper dedicated its cultural supplement to the boycott of Israeli literature, Landau reported securing 30 pre-arranged meetings. She noted interest from a publisher in the Emirates, particularly in books offering a post-October 7th perspective on Israeli identity. Landau believes the primary obstacles lie with bookstores and the public, who are reluctant to display Israeli books for fear of backlash. Despite the uncertainty of concrete outcomes, Landau views the dialogue as crucial for cracking the cultural wall surrounding Israel, finding European engagement easier than American or British, and German engagement particularly so. The true impact will become clearer in the coming months.