OTTAWA.- The Hnatyshyn Foundation is celebrating its 20th Anniversary this year by establishing a series of prizes for performing artists of Ukrainian-Canadian heritage, and for Ukrainian performing artists, including those displaced by war.

The Hnatyshyn Foundation will offer twenty awards of $10,000 each across ten categories - from traditional Ukrainian choral music and dance to modern vocal and classical performance. The awards programme is focused on Ukrainian-Canadian and Ukrainian artists 35 years of age and younger.

“This special awards programme recognizes the deep roots of the Hnatyshyn family in both Canada and Ukraine. With Russia’s war on Ukraine, we wanted to use our 20th anniversary year to celebrate the vibrancy and resilience of Ukrainian culture, identity and spirit - here in Canada and in Ukraine. We want our programme to strengthen ties between artists through the unique power of the arts,” said Gerda Hnatyshyn, the wife of the the late Ramon (Ray) John Hnatyshyn, Canada’s 24th Governor General.

The Hnatyshyn’s served at Rideau Hall from 1990-1995. During their tenure and, through the Hnatyshyn Foundation, they established an enduring legacy of commitment to artistic talent recognizing that the arts are critical to building national identity and international understanding.

“We are grateful to the Hnatyshyn Foundation for recognising and celebrating Ukraine’s rich cultural legacy in Canada and for providing solidarity and support to Ukrainian artists even as russia wages unjustified war on Ukraine, its people, history and culture,” said Yulia Kovaliv, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Canada. “The courage and determination of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people will continue to resonate through our music and dance. Canada and Ukraine have strong cultural ties based on the vibrant cultural heritage that Canada’s Ukrainian community has preserved for generations. We value the solidarity expressed by the Hnatyshyn Foundation in creating this special 20th Anniversary programme”.

Applications for the “Ukraine - Heritage, Spirit and Future” awards will be accepted online until September 19, 2022 on the Hnatyshyn Foundation website. Award recipients will be selected by a jury of performing arts experts. Results will be communicated in the fall of 2022. Prizes will be awarded in early 2023.

A gala fundraiser concert, featuring successful artists, will take place on September 16, 2023 at the Jubilee Auditorium in Edmonton. The proceeds of this concert will be used to restore or rebuild a cultural centre or cultural space in Ukraine.