Artists and Writers Condemn Cancellation of Award Ceremony for Palestinian Author Adania Shibli at Frankfurt Book Fair
Artists and Writers Condemn Cancellation of Award Ceremony for Palestinian
Visual artists, writers, and publishers have released statements of solidarity with Palestinian author Adania Shibli, who was until this week set to receive an award at the Frankfurt Book Fair.
On October 13, the organizers of the prize, Litprom, which is sponsored partly by the German government and the Frankfurt Book Fair, released a statement saying that they were seeking alternatives to hosting the ceremony at the event.
“Due to the war started by Hamas, under which millions of people in Israel and Palestine are suffering, the organizer Litprom e.V. decided to not hold the award ceremony of the LiBeraturpreis at the Frankfurt Book Fair. Litprom is looking for a suitable format and setting for the event at a later point,” Litprom said. The statement added, “Awarding the prize to Adania Shibli was never in question. Litprom firmly rejects the accusations and defamations made against the author and the novel in parts of the press as unfounded.”