The Palestine Festival of Literature

The Palestine Festival of Literature (PalFest) was established in 2008 with the aim of showcasing and supporting cultural life in Palestine, breaking the cultural siege imposed on Palestinians by the Israeli military occupation, and strengthening cultural links between Palestine and the rest of the world.

PalFest is a traveling festival. Because Palestinians’ freedom of movement is restricted by the Israeli occupation, the festival crosses military checkpoints to reach its audiences. By day, the international participants meet with artists, authors and activists and take part in politico­-historical tours that bring them face to face with the physical realities of life under occupation. By night, they take the stage alongside their Palestinian counterparts for a series of readings, performances, discussions and music.