Hebrew Book Week 2011 opens today in 11 cities and 40 communities throughout Israel, the 50th year in which the annual literary celebration has been held. As well as featuring booths selling books from many publishers, the fair will host planned readings, activities for children, discussions with writers and plays based on literary works. Most of the activities are free.

In honor of the week’s opening day, the National Library in Jerusalem held a tribute event for old book stores on Tuesday evening.

In Rabin Square in Tel Aviv, more than 100 publishers' booths will sell their works. In Haifa, most events will take place at the Haifa Theater plaza. Jerusalem’s Gan HaPa'amon will host writers and illustrators, among them Ami Rubinger, Smadar Shir, Ephraim Sidon and Dani Karman. The city has also organized meetings with writers, poets, translators and literary researchers, including Meir Shalev, Agi Mishol, Sami Berdugo, Dr. Meir Buzaglo and Tamar Galbetz, in coffee shops, bars and restaurants throughout the city.

In Be'er Sheva, activities will take place at the Performing Arts Center plaza and at the Conservatory and the Municipal Library. Throughout the week there will be street concerts, plays for children, creative workshops, games and meetings with writers and poets.

In Ramat HaSharon, activities will concentrate at City Hall Square, with musical concerts on the stage in the square. In Netanya, Hebrew Book Week will be marked by storytellers for children in Independence Square.