Nine Quarters of Jerusalem is an intriguing book for anyone who has visited Jerusalem, plans to visit or has thought about the Old City.

Matthew Teller’s highly original and readable “biography” features Jerusalem’s Palestinian and Jewish communities, but also spotlights its Indian and African populations, its Greek and Armenian and Syriac cultures, its downtrodden Dom Gypsy families and its Sufi mystics. It discusses the sources of the Old City’s holiness and the ideas – often startlingly secular – that have shaped lives within its walls. It is an evocation of place through story, led by the voices of Jerusalemites. Nine Quarters of Jerusalem lets the communities of the Old City speak for themselves. Ranging through ancient past and political present, it evokes the city’s depth and cultural diversity.

Matthew Teller writes for the BBC, Guardian, Independent, Times, Financial Times and other global media. He has also produced and presented documentaries for BBC Radio 4 and World Service.

Teller will be interviewed by Gadi Boukai

Just for fun at this kickoff event, the first 50 attendees will play candy bar lotto – everyone wins!