Ukrainian Canadian Foundation

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CALLING THE CANADIAN LITERARY AWARD "THE KOBZAR"?

In Ukrainian, the word literally means minstrel. The Kobzars were the wandering folk bards who performed a large repertoire of epic-historical, religious and folk songs while playing a Kobzar or Bandura. They first became popular in the 15th century and for over 400 years they brought the traditions of culture and storytelling to the people.

The Kobzars used an ancient lute instrument that was known in Ukraine as early as the 11th century and it was used to accompany the recitations of these bards. Eventually it was supplanted by the "Bandura" which has a larger body, longer neck and more strings. Sometimes the Kobzar and Bandura are used synonymously. At today's reception we heard the playing of the Bandura.

The word "Kobzar" also has a Shevchenko meaning. In 1840 Shevchenko published his first collection of poems called "Kobzar", which was a collection consisting of romantic poems and major ballads and later was supplanted by more mature works. His works are so beloved that sometimes Shevchenko himself is referred to as "the Kobzar".

Storytellers are valued in every culture. The Ukrainian people suffered a tragedy of monumental proportions when in the 1930's hundreds of these Kobzars were rounded up in Ukraine and murdered for their beliefs and way of life. It was Joseph Stalin's attempt to extinguish a thousand years of culture from a people by brutal repression but he failed because the stories carried on.

What the Shevchenko Foundation wants to spark is a collection of new Canadian storytellers who will become Canadian Kobzars. Canada is a country still in the throes of its creation and needs our storytellers to define. The purpose of this generous prize is to tell great Canadian stories through the pens of Canadian writers. By the end of the 21st century we hope to have created a body of work worthy of many of these Canadian storytellers or Kobzars.

2008

MAY 28, 2008 – Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko President Andrew Hladyshevsky, Q.C. Received the Order of Merit From President of Ukraine

MAY 9, 2008 – Government of Canada Establishes Historic Endowment Fund With the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko

MARCH 7, 2008 – Janice Kulyk Keefer Named Recipient of $25,000 Kobzar Literary Award for 2008

2007

MAY 8, 2007 – Victor Malarek Investigative Journalist Recipient of 2007 Syrnick Journalism Award

2006

MARCH 2, 2006 MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT: KOBZAR LITERARY AWARD 2006 RECIPIENT (PDF)

FEBRUARY 27, 2006 MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT: KOBZAR™ LITERARY AWARD 2006 GALA (PDF)

JANUARY 16, 2006 MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT: KOBZAR™ LITERARY AWARD 2006 SHORTLIST ANNOUNCEMENT (PDF)

2005

ORANGE REVOLUTION COVERAGE WINS NEW JOURNALISM AWARD

SHEVCHENKO FOUNDATION FINDS NEW HOME

2004

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CALLING THE CANADIAN LITERARY AWARD "THE KOBZAR"?

WHAT ARE SOME CANADIAN STORIES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN TOLD OR POTENTIALLY COULD BE TOLD?

2003