$25,000 Kobzar Literary Prize awarded to two finalists (03/19/06)

$25,000 Kobzar Literary Prize awarded to two finalists

by Oksana Zakydalsky

TORONTO - Laura Langston of Victoria, British Columbia, author of the acclaimed novel "Lesia's Dream," and Danny Schur of Winnipeg, Manitoba, who composed and produced "Strike! - The Musical," were named co-recipients of the $25,000 Kobzar Literary Award 2006 at the inaugural dinner and ceremony on March 2.

Other finalists for the award included Lisa Grekul of British Columbia for her novel "Kalyna's Song," and author Larry Warwaruk of Saskatchwan for "Andrei and the Snow Walker."

The presentation ceremony was held at Toronto's Eglinton Grand, a historic landmark former cinema that has been restored to its original Art Deco appearance. The event was sold out and attended by over 270 persons, including former Governor-General Adrienne Clarkson and Sen. Raynell Andreychuk, honorary patrons of the award.

During the evening program, readings from all four finalists' works were done by professionals - actor August Schellenberg, whose latest role is that of Powhatan, father of Pocahontas in the film "The New World;" stage and television actor Joan Karasevich; television actor Fred Keating, a regular on CBC's "DaVinci's Inquest" and "DaVinci's City Hall;" and theater and television actor Lubomir Mykytiuk.

Literary awards - both international, such as the Man Booker Prize and Canadian, such as the Giller Award - have helped to put Canadian literature on the world stage. Although part of a large English-speaking international literary community, Canada is a small country which needs to work harder to make its voice heard and, by giving books "celebrity status," literary awards help publishers and authors to market their books.

That was the thinking behind the creation of the Kobzar Literary Award by the Shevchenko Foundation, which was set up to recognize contributions to Canadian literary arts through the author or writer's presentation of a Ukrainian Canadian theme with literary merit. The award is meant to increase the visibility of such works, encourage people to buy them and interest authors in taking up a Ukrainian Canadian theme. At its inauguration, the award was presented to the winners by Andrew Hladyshevsky, president of the Shevchenko Foundation.

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