What it is about
As the first anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attack against Israel approaches, the National Library has released a comprehensive report shedding light on the outpouring of literature inspired by the war’s events.
Why it matters
The surge in publications emphasizes the lasting impact of the war on the Israeli psyche and cultural fabric, both as a form of historical documentation and a tribute to those affected by the conflict.
Details
Since the outbreak of the war, 169 books and publications have been released, meticulously covering diverse and significant topics such as hostages, remarkable stories of heroism, protests, soldiers’ memories, and the troubling rise of antisemitism in the Diaspora.
Categories of Publications
The breakdown of these publications is as follows:
– 30 nonfiction and reference books
– 29 personal testimonies and accounts of heroism
– 14 poetry collections
– 9 works of fiction
– 3 children’s books
The National Library underscores that this report is partial, anticipating that hundreds more books will emerge in the coming years, many of which will be memorial and tribute books around the anniversary of the conflict.
Historical Comparison
Upon comparison, approximately 300 books were published within the first year after the Yom Kippur War (ending of 1974). Over the next five decades, this surged into thousands, encapsulating literature in both Hebrew and global languages.
Archival Efforts
Tasked with comprehensive digital documentation, the National Library has archived 500 million online items, including social media posts, WhatsApp messages, videos, and over a thousand printed materials, booklets, flyers, posters, in addition to thousands of filmed testimonies.
Commemorative Projects
In its tribute endeavors, the library initiated “Lives Lost: The Works of the Victims of October 7,” honoring the literary contributions of those whose lives were tragically shortened. Furthermore, on October 6, the library will host “At the End of Tishrei: An Evening of Poetry and Remembrance,” a musical performance honoring the legacy and evoking a communal memory.
This story was first published on ynetnews.com.