President Reuven Rivlin opened the biennial Jerusalem International Writers’ Festival Wednesday night, which is being held at Mishkenot Sha’ananim. 

The festival is attended by writers and authors from across Israel and the world, as well as ambassadors and other senior figures.

“As a child, I was always told that a good story could save your life,” Rivlin began. “Stories tell us who we are, as individuals, and as nations. Stories tell us where we came from. They inspire us to dream of the future we wish for ourselves.”

“But stories have another role: If the writer is really good, if the reader is willing to make the effort; stories can make us better human beings, by telling us a different story of ourselves and of the world than the one we already know,” he continued. “Having only one story can be dangerous. It blocks your vision. It seals your ears. It ties up your heart.”

President Rivlin turned to the authors from Israel around the world and said, “Dear writers, I ask of you; keep telling us stories night after night. Keep writing us new ways of seeing the world, make us hear different voices.”

“Tell us a new story of ourselves on every page. Keep our eyes and hearts open make us strive to be better. Your stories could save our lives.”