Honorary Patrons share their thoughts about the Peterson Literary Fund:
“The Peterson Literary Fund has contributed greatly to protecting and translating Ukraine's enormous and rich cultural contributions. This has never been more important in light of the fact that Ukrainians must once again fight for survival against Russia. The courage and commitment of the people of Ukraine, both now and in the past, must remain an inspiration to the world.”
Diane Francis
Award-winning journalist and broadcaster
Editor-at-Large, National Post; Columnist, Financial Post; popular Substack Newsletter author
Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council
Bestselling author of ten books
“The world needs to be exposed to Ukraine as much as Ukraine needs to be exposed to the world. The Peterson Literary Fund will do just that.”
Alexander Motyl
American historian, political scientist, poet, writer, translator, artist-painter
Professor of political science at Rutgers University
Author of many books, including Imperial Ends: The Decline, Collapse, and Revival of Empires, (Columbia University Press) and the novel Pitun's Last Stand: An Entertainment about the Fall of Russia (2021)
“At a time when our information space is polluted by the noise of disinformation carried on a wave of trending populism, the Peterson Literary Fund will no doubt fortify the intellectual ammunition needed to deliver truth and meaning to a wide audience of readers. The Fund will enable talented authors and translators to share quality content and valuable insight into the millennial history of the Ukrainian people, underscoring the global relevance of their struggles, triumphs, and perseverance.”
Hanna Hopko
Head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Ukraine’s Parliament (2014-2019)
Voted Leading Global Thinker in 2014 by Foreign Policy magazine
Co-founder, International Centre for Ukrainian Victory
Advisor to the Warsaw Security Forum
"The Peterson Literary Fund is a most welcome new resource in support of important Ukrainian and international publications made possible through the bequest of a truly remarkable man of vision."
Basil Kalymon
Canadian economist, academic, writer, commentator
Professor Emeritus, Ivey Business School, Western University
Head, Economic Advisory Council to Ukraine’s Ministry of Economics (2014-2015)
“Germany’s renowned literary critic, Marcel Reich-Ranicki, once said that he considered German literature to be his homeland. Thanks to the noble mission of your Fund, I am convinced that more and more people from different corners of the globe, representing diverse nationalities, will find a haven in Ukrainian literature. But for that to happen, Ukrainian literature must be supported, nurtured, and its value never taken for granted.”
Vitaly Portnikov
Ukrainian journalist, author, political commentator
Winner of the 1989 Golden Pen Award of the Ukrainian Association of Journalists
Host of the tv program “Politclub” on Espresso TV
Editor and host of the program “Roads To Freedom”, produced by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
“While we may now reach for machine translation for basic understanding of humdrum texts, it still takes a skilled human brain to make literature of any genre resonate across languages and cultures. The Peterson Fund, bequeathed by a man who lived a full range of identities, will help weave the Ukrainian experience into the global fabric.”
Roman Waschuk
Canadian diplomat, global affairs expert
Business Ombudsman of Ukraine (since January 1, 2022) Former Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine (2014-2019)
Former Canadian Ambassador to Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia (2011-2014)
“Supporting Ukrainian book writing and publishing is one of the most noble causes that an intellectual can pursue, wherever he or she may live. Because a nation survives, when its literature thrives.”
Vakhtang Kipiani
Ukrainian historian, journalist, author
Editor-in-chief of the online edition of "Historical Truth"
Winner of the Ukrainian PEN Club’s inaugural "Georgiy Gongadze Award"
Author of The Case of Vasyl Stus — first place winner of the Ukrainian Book Institute’s "List of 30 iconic books of Ukrainian Independence"
The Peterson Literary Prize
The Peterson Literary Prize is a biennial international book prize recognizing original works of nonfiction written in English or Ukrainian. The prize is awarded in even-numbered years.
The prize recognizes books that promote a better understanding of Ukraine or the Ukrainian people, or whose subject matter is relevant to the worldwide Ukrainian community.
Value
The Peterson Literary Prize is valued at $30,000 Canadian. The winning author will receive a prize of $25,000 Canadian dollars. An additional $5,000 CAD will be awarded to the book’s publisher.
Shortlisted Finalists will each receive $5,000 CAD.
Depending on the number and quality of submissions received in a given year, the Awards Jury has the discretion to name up to 5 Finalists.
Prizes
Grants
AWARDS JURY
It was the desire of the late Stanley Peterson — the founder of the Peterson Literary Fund — that the Literary Fund bearing his name have a jury composed of individuals who bring a global perspective to their role as promoters of literary excellence.
The jury will, from time to time, include a mix of writers, editors, journalists, scholars, literary translators, and other professionals qualified to undertake a balanced review and assessment of the works submitted to the various prize, awards, and grant programs offered by the Peterson Literary Fund. When warranted, the Awards Jury will collaborate with the Peterson Literary Fund’s advisors and foreign language experts.
In addition to their professional qualifications, members of the Awards Jury are selected with consideration to fair representation of gender, age, language competency, community engagement, and global awareness.
All books and manuscripts submitted to the various prize, awards, and grants programs of the Peterson Literary Fund will be evaluated using a particular set of criteria.
2023 Awards Jury
LISA (LESIA) SHYMKO
(Chair)
2021 — 2022 Awards Jury
(Chair)
JURIJ DAREWYCH
NADIA GERELIOUK
ALEXANDER MOTYL
MARKO STECH