Hebrew Book Week is an annual week-long event celebrating Hebrew literature, which takes place in Israel during June. During book-sale events throughout the country, publishers operate booths in major cities and many towns. These stalls introduce readers to all varieties of Hebrew literature, including books for children and youth. Discounts are valid at most bookshops throughout the period. Hebrew Book Week events often also serve as a platform for other cultural activities. While people stroll, there are often children’s activities, street-theater performances, puppet shows (based on classic literary works), games and workshops that focus on accompanying illustrations for fiction. Many public school children attend the various fairs as part of their curriculum.
Hebrew Book Week was first initiated by poet and author Shlomo Tanay in May 1959 and has been held throughout the country on a regular basis since 1961.
