This Is Not a Border

A literary festival as well as a journey … it has made me quite poignantly aware of what the occupation means to people and of their determination to speak up for the writers and musicians who feel that the occupation has taken their voice away … An eye-opening experience – Michael Palin
Every literary act, whether it is a great epic poem or an honest piece of journalism or a simple nonsense tale for children is a blow against the forces of stupidity and ignorance and darkness … The Palestine Festival of Literature exists to do just that – and I salute it for its work. Not only this year but for as long as it is necessary – Philip Pullman
PalFest is not only the most powerful and important literary festival it’s ever been my privilege to attend, it’s one of the most powerful and important things I’ve experienced, full stop – China Miéville
PalFest has quickly established itself a much-loved international festival. As a charity, it is unique in bringing creativity, beauty, partnership, and tolerance into all our lives, and I can’t think of many cultural institutions more deserving of our full support – Andrew O’Hagan
It’s a festival like no other. It is so much more than a festival. Stimulating and enjoyable - I hope so anyway! – for the Palestinians, it is an eye-opening and moving educational experience for the visiting participants … A vital part of the cultural and political calendar – Geoff Dyer
The festival is a recognition of the independent life of the Palestinian people. Coming through the invisible barrier of fear has actually filled me with hope. I found deep humanity on the other side – Adam Foulds
PalFest’s uniqueness stems from the fact that during the day it allows writers to carry out that most important of writerly tasks – bear witness … We go to PalFest to feel ourselves part of the world – Kamila Shamsie
PalFest is a necessary, confronting and enlightening event for anyone with an interest in writing, freedom and human rights … A life-changing experience – Bidisha
Thanks for being who you are and for giving us such exposure to wonderful people. Palestine is proud of you – Suad Amiry
Truly life-changing … As a human being and as a writer, this was a revelatory experience – William Sutcliffe
Packed with so much genius and courage and heart I don’t know what to say except thank you and I have new favourite writers – Molly Crabapple
The most rewarding – and challenging – literary festival a writer could hope to take part in – Jeremy Harding
One of the most affecting trips of my life – Sabrina Mahfouz
PalFest is a visionary enterprise, there is nothing like it anywhere else in the world that I know of, the radiant intimacy of writing, live audiences, bodies and souls touching, all in a land surviving under occupation – Meena Alexander
This anthology will help turn your intellectual understanding of oppression into an emotional one * New Statesman *

Ahdaf Soueif is the author of the Booker Prize-shortlisted The Map of Love as well as the memoir of the January 2011 revolution, Cairo: A City Transformed. She co-founded the Palestine Festival of Literature and was awarded the Hay Medal for Festivals 2017 for her work on PalFest. She is based in both Cairo and London.

Omar Robert Hamilton is an award-winning filmmaker and writer. He co-founded the Palestine Festival of Literature and the Mosireen media collective in Cairo. He is based between Cairo and New York.

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