Hebrew Book Week Event At Beit Hanasi (Photo Essay)

By BJLIfe/Sharon Altshul
Posted on 06/27/23

Jerusalem, Israel - June 27, 2023 - President Isaac Herzog and his wife Michal hosted today, Tuesday, 8th of Tammuz, June 27, as part of Hebrew Book Week and Reading Month, an event marking the 150th anniversary of the birth of the national poet, Hayim Nahman Bialik. The event "A Sanctuary for the Hebrew Language" focused on raising awareness of creative writing in Hebrew, reading, and the Hebrew language in general.

The tribute event was attended by Beit Avi Chai CEO David Rozenson, students from Beit Avi Chai's writing workshops, veterans, and young people from all over the country.

The President opened his remarks by saying: "What is more appropriate than this time - the Hebrew Book Festival, and from this distinguished audience, to mark together the 150th anniversary of the birth of the giant of Hebrew culture and creativity for generations - Hayim Nahman Bialik. I know that this is a challenging time for Hebrew literature. Sometimes it seems that in the face of Netflix and Tiktok, social networks, and "viral" content, the written word has no chance, the alarming figures that were recently published regarding the dramatic decline in the reading skills of Israeli students in recent years, are further evidence of this."

The president paid tribute to the poets and writers who passed away in the past year: "Furthermore when you look at the last year, and at the great personalities, the generation such as Meir Wieseltier, Yonatan Gefen, Meir Shalev, Uzi Shavit, Dan Laor and Chava Pinchas Cohen who left us - the feeling of being orphaned may become even more difficult and acute," said the president and added: "But on the other hand, when I look at the young and creative generation, at the new journals that are emerging and flourishing, and yes, also at this hall, filled to the brim with people of the book and Hebrew lovers, I am filled with hope."

Finally, the president concluded on an optimistic note: "I believe in us, from my honor, and personally, as an avid reader of the Hebrew language, I commit - to continue to promote reading, literature, and Hebrew creation, because this is the root of our existence. These things are true all year round, but they are true many times more in this month - which is dedicated to Hebrew literature, this is why Michal and I have been careful to engage in this topic. After all, if there is one thing that the journey of Hebrew has taught us, it is that just as our people are an eternal people who are not afraid of a long journey, so too is their language an eternal language, which not only survives a long journey but is resurrected and revives the people with it - time after time. The depth, the strengths, and the rest of the spirit that Hebrew carries to shape our society and as a country, and these, no matter how hard they try - cannot be eradicated. Hebrew is stronger than we assume, stronger than all of us, strong thanks to all of us; And how good it is to bring the Hebrew language and Hebrew literature to the top of our happiness."  He ended his remarks with "Chag Shavuah HaSefer Sameach."

Speaking for Beit Avi Chai David Rozenson added: "This year we are dedicating the event to mark the one-hundred-and-fifty anniversary of the birth of the national poet, Hayim Nahman Bialik. Along with his literary work, Bialik was an entrepreneur of cultural enterprises such as the "Oneg Shabbat" association and the "Book of the Legend" - projects who integrated the Jewish tradition into modern Hebrew culture. We at Beit Avi Chai see ourselves as partners in Bialik's vision and seek to build the spiritual-cultural stature in the State of Israel and even in the Jewish people in the Diaspora. We believe in the power of texts to connect society, nurture it, to influence it and what is happening in reality. Therefore, among other things, we plan to curate and produce a new digital collection of Hebrew literature, translated into English and various languages, which will open the gates of our texts and culture to anyone interested around the world.'

On display at Beit Hanasi during the reception were posters of works by Nahum Gutman who did the illustrations for Bialik's children's books. Musical interlude was by Maya Belsitzman and Matan Ephrat. The moderator was Amichai Chasson. The program brochure design was by Dov Abramson Studio.