Ariana Harwicz removed from Granada festival following pressure

Argentine author Ariana Harwicz has been removed from the Cultur-ALH International Festival of Art, Literature, and Humanities in Granada, Spain, shortly before the event's commencement. The decision follows pressure from pro-Palestinian groups, including the University Network for Palestine in Granada and various reading clubs at the University of Granada, who opposed her participation due to her refusal to support the cultural boycott of Israel.

Festival directors Patricia Escalona and Ana Gallego stated they could not guarantee Harwicz's safety and feared that her presence would lead to protests that could disrupt the literary discussions. Harwicz expressed her disappointment on social media, claiming the organizers “yielded to the pressure of militants” and “yielded to terror.” She noted that she was willing to participate despite potential demonstrations, characterizing the move as a loss of dissent for the festival.

The festival, scheduled to run from September 21 to 27, features several prominent international authors, but Harwicz's scheduled talk, titled “Opposing the World” alongside Spanish writer Jesús Ortega, has been canceled.