At the Frankfurt Book Fair, authors spontaneously read excerpts from the novel “A Minor Matter” by Palestinian author Adania Schibli. With the event, which was postponed at the last minute, PEN Berlin wanted to “give a stage” to the novel that has been talked about so much, as Deniz Yücel, one of the two speakers at the writers’ association, said. Jewish authors were also among the speakers.
Co-speaker Eva Menasse read a greeting from the writer: “In my sad silence, I thank you and the audience. This donation confirms to me that literature is a lifeline for many of us.”
In addition to Menasse, Deborah Feldman (“Unorthodox”), Tomer Dotan Dreyfus (“Birobidzhan”), Sasha Marianna Salzmann (“Except”), Julia Franck (“The Midday Woman”) and Dana Vowinckel (“Waters in the Ziplock”) participate. ). ) to read.
Awards ceremony postponed
Schibli should have received the “Liberaturpreis” from the Litprom Association, an award for authors from the global south. However, the book fair postponed the awards ceremony to a later date, at short notice.
The novel received critical acclaim, but was also criticized for alleged anti-Semitic clichés. The novel concerns the rape and mass murder of a young Bedouin girl by Israeli soldiers in 1949.
PEN and Rushdie against postponement
PEN Berlin criticizes the postponement. “No book will be different, better, worse or more dangerous because the news situation changes,” Menasse said before the fair.
Salman Rushdie, who will be honored with the German book trade’s Peace Prize in Frankfurt, said he hopes that “postponement” is not a euphemism for “cancellation” and that the honor will be returned soon.