Canada-Japan Literary Awards Ceremony for the 2020 and 2022 Award Winners
2024/5/9
On May 9, a ceremony for the 2020 and 2022 winners of the Canada-Japan Literary Awards was held at the National Gallery of Canada. The ceremony was co-organized by the Canada Council for the Arts and the Embassy of Japan in Canada. The Canada-Japan Literary Awards* recognize literary excellence by Canadian writers who write about Japan, Japanese themes, or themes that promote mutual understanding between Japan and Canada. Canadian translators who translate books from Japanese into English or French are also recognized.
In 2020, Mr. Michael Prior received the English-language award for “Burning Province” (McClelland & Stewart). Ms. Alice Michaud-Lapointe and Ms. Ginette Michaud received the French-language award for “Néons et sakuras” (Héliotrope).
In 2022, Mr. Matsuki Masutani received the English-language award for “I will be more myself in the next world” (Mother Tongue Publishing) and Ms. Aki Shimazaki received the French-language award for “Suzuran” (Actes Sud).
At the Ceremony, Ambassador YAMANOUCHI Kanji delivered remarks congratulating the winners and thanking them as well as their publishers for their contribution to further strengthen the bond between the people of our two countries. He also mentioned the importance of literature to the relationship between Japan and Canada. This was followed by a congratulatory speech from Ms. Michelle Chawla, Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Canada Council for the Arts.
Ambassador Yamanouchi and Director Chawla presented a certificate to each winner as well as their respective publisher. In response, each winner delivered an acceptance speech and expressed their gratitude to the people who supported them in their career as writers.
The ceremony concluded with a toast by Senator Stanley Kutcher, co-chair of the Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group, who further emphasized the importance of literature in deepening mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of Japan and Canada.
*The funds for the Canada-Japan Literary Award are financed in part by the Canada-Japan Fund, created in 1988 by the Government of Japan to further strengthen and promote the ties between the arts communities of the two countries. The Canada Council for the Arts administers the Award.
In 2020, Mr. Michael Prior received the English-language award for “Burning Province” (McClelland & Stewart). Ms. Alice Michaud-Lapointe and Ms. Ginette Michaud received the French-language award for “Néons et sakuras” (Héliotrope).
In 2022, Mr. Matsuki Masutani received the English-language award for “I will be more myself in the next world” (Mother Tongue Publishing) and Ms. Aki Shimazaki received the French-language award for “Suzuran” (Actes Sud).
At the Ceremony, Ambassador YAMANOUCHI Kanji delivered remarks congratulating the winners and thanking them as well as their publishers for their contribution to further strengthen the bond between the people of our two countries. He also mentioned the importance of literature to the relationship between Japan and Canada. This was followed by a congratulatory speech from Ms. Michelle Chawla, Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Canada Council for the Arts.
Ambassador Yamanouchi and Director Chawla presented a certificate to each winner as well as their respective publisher. In response, each winner delivered an acceptance speech and expressed their gratitude to the people who supported them in their career as writers.
The ceremony concluded with a toast by Senator Stanley Kutcher, co-chair of the Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group, who further emphasized the importance of literature in deepening mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of Japan and Canada.
*The funds for the Canada-Japan Literary Award are financed in part by the Canada-Japan Fund, created in 1988 by the Government of Japan to further strengthen and promote the ties between the arts communities of the two countries. The Canada Council for the Arts administers the Award.
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| Congratulatory address by Ambassador Yamanouchi |
Congratulatory address by Ms. Michelle Chawla, Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Canada Council for the Arts. |
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| Many guests attended the ceremony |
Toast by Senator Kutcher |
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| The winning books were on display |
From left: Director Michelle Chawla, Mr. Michael Prior, Ms. Alice Michaud-Lapointe, Ms. Ginette Michaud, Ms. Aki Shimazaki, Ambassador Yamanouchi and Senator Stanley Kutcher. |