Wednesday 4 June 2014

‘Granta Israel’ Is Launched

Granta. IsraelGranta Magazine, the prestigious publication founded by Cambridge University students in 1889, has just been launched in Israel as -  well  - Granta Israel!

Take-off happened during last month’s International Writers’ Festival in Jerusalem, and publication is being handled from the independent bookshop, Sipur Pashut in Tel Aviv’s Neve Tzedek district.

Those who know these things say Sipur Pashut is “the kind of place that editors and authors frequent, and which regularly hosts literary events”.

Shira Levy and Mira Rashty are down as  twin editrices. Levy comments: “We believe that Granta in Israel will influence the local literary scene in a very positive way” while an equally savvy Rashty broadcasts a regular segment on English language books for Tel Aviv 1 Radio.

Meanwhile, the Israeli writers booked to fill the glossy acres include  Shimon Adaf, Dror Burstein, Ona Coussin, Eli Eliyahu and Etgar Keret. Translated pieces include work by Nadine Gordimer, Roberto Bolano and Nicole Krauss.

Burstein has commented: “I think that the concept of a global literary community is wonderful.” He added, “if there is one good thing about globalism it is the possibility to easily cross cultural borders”.

© Natalie Wood (04 June 2014)

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