Irish novelist Sally Rooney has defended her decision to publish a Hebrew translation of her novel Intermezzo through an Israeli publisher deemed compliant with the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, marking a significant development in the long-running debate over cultural boycotts linked to Israel and Palestine.

The Hebrew edition of Intermezzo is scheduled for release later this month through November Books in collaboration with +972 Magazine and Local Call. The announcement comes more than four years after Rooney declined to sell Hebrew translation rights for an earlier novel to another Israeli publisher, citing her support for the Palestinian-led BDS campaign.

Rooney discussed the decision in an email exchange published Tuesday with Irish Palestinian activist Samir Eskanda. The discussion focused on the role of writers and cultural institutions in the international boycott movement targeting Israeli state-linked institutions and businesses.

Eskanda said the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI), a founding member of the BDS movement established in 2005, has for years called on artists and cultural workers to avoid cooperation with Israeli institutions viewed as complicit in state policies toward Palestinians.

He said the campaign targets institutional involvement rather than individuals and argued that Israeli cultural organisations have played a role in legitimising Israeli government policies.Rooney said her awareness of the movement deepened during protests in Dublin in 2014 against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

According to United Nations estimates, more than 2,000 Palestinians were killed during the 2014 conflict, including hundreds of children. Rooney described the protests as politically formative and said they later influenced scenes in her novel Normal People.“At that time, I tried to comply with the boycott in my role as a consumer,” Rooney said.

She added, however, that she had sold Hebrew translation rights for her first two novels to an Israeli publisher before later learning of what she described as links between the company and the Israeli military.

Rooney said she had initially struggled to interpret how BDS principles applied within the publishing industry and noted that many internationally recognised authors continued to publish translations in Israel through mainstream publishers.

She said she did not seek guidance from PACBI at the time because she believed literary publishing may not have fallen within the movement’s institutional boycott framework.

The issue first drew international attention in 2021 when Rooney declined to work with Israeli publisher Modan on a Hebrew translation of her novel Beautiful World, Where Are You. At the time, Rooney said she supported the BDS movement and would be willing to authorise a Hebrew translation if it complied with the movement’s institutional boycott guidelines.Her decision generated widespread debate across literary and political circles.

Supporters described the move as a legitimate form of political protest aligned with broader international boycott campaigns. Critics accused Rooney of excluding Israeli readers and politicising literary translation.The BDS movement, launched in 2005 by Palestinian civil society organisations, advocates economic, cultural and academic pressure on Israel until it meets demands related to Palestinian rights, including ending occupation of territories captured in 1967 and recognising what the movement describes as equal rights for Palestinians.

Israel has strongly opposed the movement, describing some of its goals as aimed at delegitimising the state.Israeli officials and several Western governments have criticised aspects of BDS, while supporters argue the campaign mirrors earlier international boycott movements directed at apartheid-era South Africa.

The movement has gained backing from sections of the international arts community, including academics, musicians, filmmakers and writers.Rooney said her latest arrangement with November Books was designed specifically to ensure compliance with boycott principles outlined by PACBI.

She characterised the project as distinct from previous publishing agreements because it involved collaboration with organisations she said aligned with anti-occupation and anti-apartheid positions.November Books has been presented by supporters as an independent publishing initiative operating outside institutions viewed by BDS advocates as complicit in Israeli state policies. The project’s collaboration with +972 Magazine and Local Call, both known for investigative reporting critical of Israeli government policy, has been cited by organisers as evidence of alignment with boycott guidelines.

The debate comes amid heightened global scrutiny of Israel’s military operations in Gaza following the war that began after the October 2023 Hamas attacks on southern Israel. International legal and diplomatic pressure on Israel has intensified in recent months, including proceedings before the International Court of Justice concerning allegations related to genocide.

Israel has rejected accusations of genocide and said its military operations are directed against Hamas and other armed groups.In the published discussion, Eskanda argued that public awareness alone was insufficient and said artists and cultural workers should actively support accountability measures advocated by Palestinian civil society groups.

He framed cultural boycotts as part of a broader international pressure campaign directed at Israeli institutions.Rooney said her understanding of institutional complicity evolved over time and acknowledged what she described as inconsistencies in her earlier publishing decisions.

She said the process of navigating boycott principles as a novelist had involved reassessing assumptions about how international publishing relationships operate within broader political structures.The publication of Intermezzo in Hebrew through a BDS-compliant framework is likely to renew debate over the relationship between literature, translation rights and political activism.

Rooney remains one of the most internationally recognised contemporary Irish novelists, with her work translated into multiple languages and adapted for television.The new Hebrew edition is expected to circulate primarily through independent distribution networks associated with the collaborating organisations.

The shortlist for the 2026 International Booker Prize has been announced, marking the 10th anniversary of the award that recognises outstanding works of fiction translated into English.

The six selected titles reflect a broad geographic and linguistic range, with authors and translators representing multiple nationalities and literary traditions.

The annual prize awards £50,000 to the winning author and translator, to be shared equally, with the winner scheduled to be announced on 19 May. Each shortlisted title receives £5,000.

This year’s shortlist was chosen from a longlist of 13 books, which itself was selected from 128 submissions.Among the finalists is Daniel Kehlmann, who receives his second nomination for The Director, translated by Ross Benjamin.

The novel draws on the life of filmmaker G. W. Pabst and examines his relationship with the political environment of Nazi Germany. The work has been described in published reviews as combining elements of historical fiction with narrative ambiguity.

French author Marie NDiaye is shortlisted for the first time for The Witch, translated by Jordan Stump. Originally published in 1996, the novel is characterised by its darkly comic tone.

NDiaye had previously appeared on the longlist in 2016 and was shortlisted under the prize’s earlier format in 2013, when it recognised an author’s entire body of work.

Taiwanese writer Yáng Shuāng-zǐ is recognised for Taiwan Travelogue, translated by Lin King. The novel follows a Japanese woman travelling through Taiwan during the 1930s, a period when the island was under Japanese colonial rule.

The book previously received Taiwan’s Golden Tripod Award, a major literary honour, following its publication in Mandarin Chinese in 2020.

The shortlist also includes debut works by Shida Bazyar and Rene Karabash. Bazyar’s The Nights Are Quiet in Tehran, translated by Ruth Martin, traces the experiences of an Iranian family navigating revolution and exile. Karabash’s She Who Remains, translated by Izidora Angel, presents a coming-of-age narrative set within a patriarchal Albanian community.

Brazilian author Ana Paula Maia completes the shortlist with On Earth As It Is Beneath, translated by Padma Viswanathan. The novella is set in a former slave plantation that has been repurposed as a penal colony, exploring themes linked to labour and confinement.

According to judging chair Natasha Brown, the selected works span historical periods across the past century while maintaining contemporary relevance. She said the panel identified recurring elements of human resilience and insight within the shortlisted titles, alongside narratives shaped by historical experience.

The judging panel for the 2026 award includes mathematician Marcus du Sautoy, translator Sophie Hughes, and writers Troy Onyango and Nilanjana S Roy. The panel evaluated submissions based on literary quality and the effectiveness of translation, in line with the prize’s criteria.

This year’s shortlist reflects notable gender representation, with five of the six authors and four of the six translators being women. The selected works were originally written in five different languages, underscoring the prize’s emphasis on linguistic diversity and cross-cultural exchange.

The International Booker Prize was established to recognise the role of translation in bringing global literature to English-speaking audiences.

Since its current format was introduced, the award has focused on individual works rather than lifetime achievement, aligning it more closely with other major literary prizes while maintaining its distinct emphasis on translation.

The 2025 prize was awarded to Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq, translated by Deepa Bhasthi, highlighting the continued prominence of translated literature in international publishing markets.

The remaining titles on the longlist included works by authors such as Gabriela Cabezón Cámara, Anjet Daanje, Mathias Énard, Ia Genberg, Matteo Melchiorre, Shahrnush Parsipur and Olga Ravn, reflecting the breadth of submissions considered by the panel.

The shortlist announcement underscores the growing visibility of translated fiction within the global literary landscape, with publishers and institutions increasingly supporting works that cross linguistic and cultural boundaries.

The rapid rise of short-form video platforms such as Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts is coinciding with measurable shifts in reading patterns, particularly among younger audiences.

Data from the Pew Research Center indicates that screen-based media consumption has increased significantly over the past decade, with a growing share of time allocated to short, algorithm-driven content.

While the data does not attribute causality, researchers note a corresponding decline in time spent on long-form reading, including books and extended articles.Publishing industry reports suggest that this shift is affecting both consumption habits and market strategies.

According to the Association of American Publishers, overall book revenues have remained relatively stable in recent years, but the formats and categories showing growth increasingly align with digital discovery patterns.

Publishers report that titles gaining visibility through social media trends, including short-form video recommendations, often see short-term spikes in sales, indicating that digital platforms are reshaping how readers encounter written content.

Researchers examining digital behavior describe short-form video as part of a broader “attention economy,” where platforms compete for user engagement through rapid, visually driven content.

Studies from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development highlight that average attention spans for digital tasks have decreased as users adapt to faster information cycles.

While these findings do not directly measure reading comprehension, they suggest that sustained engagement with long-form material may be affected by changing consumption patterns.Educational assessments provide additional context.

Data from the Programme for International Student Assessment indicates that reading proficiency among adolescents in several countries has shown stagnation or decline in recent cycles.

Analysts caution that multiple factors contribute to this trend, including socio-economic variables and education policy, but note that increased screen time is frequently examined as a contributing variable in academic research.

Digital platforms, however, have also created new pathways into reading. Book-related communities on short-form video platforms have emerged as influential drivers of engagement.

Industry observers point to the rise of user-generated recommendations, often referred to as “BookTok” on TikTok, where short videos highlighting specific titles can generate substantial interest.

Publishers and retailers have responded by adjusting marketing strategies to align with these trends, integrating social media campaigns into traditional promotional cycles.

The intersection of reading and short-form video has led to structural changes within the publishing sector. Major publishing houses and independent authors alike are increasingly leveraging social media analytics to identify emerging reader preferences.

According to industry data compiled by the Association of American Publishers, titles that achieve viral visibility often experience rapid sales acceleration, particularly in young adult and fiction categories.

Retailers have also adapted. Online marketplaces and physical bookstores have introduced curated sections featuring titles trending on social media platforms. This reflects a shift in discovery mechanisms, where algorithmic recommendation systems operate alongside traditional literary criticism and editorial curation.

At the same time, digital reading formats have expanded. E-books and audiobooks, distributed through platforms such as Kindle, have gained traction among users who consume content on mobile devices. Industry analysts note that while these formats differ from traditional print reading, they still represent engagement with long-form narratives.

The growth of audiobooks, in particular, is associated with multitasking behavior, allowing users to integrate reading into daily routines.

Despite these adaptations, concerns remain regarding the depth of engagement. Academic studies examining reading behavior suggest that comprehension and retention may differ between long-form reading and fragmented digital consumption.

Researchers emphasize that sustained reading requires cognitive processes that are not typically activated during short-form video consumption, although further longitudinal studies are needed to establish definitive conclusions.

Policymakers and educators are increasingly examining how to balance digital media use with reading development. Government education departments in multiple countries have introduced initiatives aimed at promoting literacy, often incorporating digital tools rather than excluding them.

Reports from the OECD indicate that integrating technology into reading instruction can yield positive outcomes when structured effectively, though unregulated screen time remains a concern.

Schools and libraries are also adapting their approaches. Digital lending platforms and online reading programs have been expanded to meet users in the environments where they are most active. At the same time, literacy campaigns continue to emphasize the importance of sustained reading for academic and cognitive development.

In India, where smartphone penetration has grown rapidly, similar patterns are emerging. While comprehensive national data on the relationship between short-form video and reading habits remains limited, educators and publishers report anecdotal evidence of shifting preferences among students.

Government initiatives promoting digital education have focused on accessibility, but experts note the need for parallel efforts to encourage reading as a sustained practice.The evolving relationship between reading and short-form video reflects broader changes in media consumption.

While digital platforms have introduced new challenges to traditional reading habits, they have also created alternative pathways for engagement.

The extent to which these trends will reshape long-term literacy outcomes remains a subject of ongoing research, with implications for education systems, publishing markets, and digital policy frameworks.

Running through January 15, the festival offers daily programming from 4 p.m. to midnight, blending heritage, modern cultural expression, and interactive experiences that honor writers, readers, and creative minds across generations.

The festival spans four main sites — Aldarb, Almatal, Alfanaa, and Alsarh — and includes over 270 events, comprising 176 cultural activities, 84 theatrical performances, seven musical and poetry evenings, and 45 literary and artistic works, creating an immersive experience for attendees.

Interactive platforms, storytelling sessions, and hands-on workshops provide opportunities for children, families, and literary enthusiasts to engage directly with authors, illustrators, and publishers, enhancing participation and learning.

Approximately 42 publishing entities from both domestic and international markets participate, showcasing contemporary literary releases and facilitating exchanges between readers, writers, and the publishing industry.

Programs such as Al-Fina’ zone’s “Between Reality and Imagination” combine visual storytelling with animated narratives, guiding visitors through creative journeys and exploring Arab and global literary dimensions in an engaging format.

The festival highlights Taif’s designation as the Kingdom’s first UNESCO Creative Cities Network literature city and reinforces the city’s role as a hub for cultural exchange, creative discovery, and literary innovation.

It encourages the development of reading culture and fosters interaction among writers, readers, and thinkers, promoting intellectual growth and cultural enrichment while offering recreational and educational experiences for attendees.

Participants can enjoy diverse events, from theatrical performances to poetry evenings and interactive literary workshops, all designed to celebrate creativity and provide accessible opportunities for audiences to connect with literature.

The festival also serves as a platform for Saudi and international creatives to exchange ideas, discuss literary trends, and explore innovations in publishing and storytelling, enriching the broader cultural ecosystem.

Visitors benefit from exposure to contemporary literature across multiple domains, including literary, intellectual, and knowledge-based works, while interactive zones and workshops provide opportunities to engage with content in hands-on and immersive ways.

By combining cultural programming with recreational experiences, the festival promotes lifelong learning, artistic appreciation, and cross-generational engagement in a dynamic, festive environment.

Attendees can participate in interactive storytelling sessions, educational workshops, and creative demonstrations, allowing young audiences to explore literature while encouraging adults to deepen their engagement with contemporary and classical works.

The festival reinforces the role of literary events in fostering a strong cultural identity, encouraging dialogue, and promoting appreciation for literature as an essential aspect of modern life and societal development.

Through a diverse range of events and activities, the Taif Festival creates a vibrant, participatory environment for literary engagement, cultural exchange, and creative expression for residents, visitors, and literary enthusiasts alike.

The festival’s programming emphasizes accessibility, inclusivity, and creativity, highlighting the value of literature and reading culture as vital components of community enrichment and cultural development.