Alon Hilu recently received the Israeli Presidential Prize for Literature for his stunning debut novel Death of a Monk. Set in 1840s Damascus, Hilu unfolds a story charged with emotional and sexual conflict based on the Damascus Blood Libel of 1840, retold by a young gay Jewish boy. Cost $10/$8. Bookings 9250 1988.
ALON HILU (ISRAEL) Alon Hilu has written radio plays and has published short stories in literature magazines in Israel. He has a degree in dramatic writing from Tel Aviv University, studying under Israel's leading playwrights, such as Yehoshua Sobol and Shmuel Hasfari. His plays, The Wedding and The Day of the Dogs were produced in theatre festivals in Israel, and were both translated into English for the Harvard-Radcliffe Dramatic Club. His award-winning first novel, Death of a Monk, is based on the blood libel against the Jews in Syria. His participation is supported by the Embassy of Israel.
Sydney Writers' Festival is Australia’s largest annual literary celebration. The Festival returns 14-20 May 2012, with School Days 2012 running from 21-25 May.