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2017 CBC POETRY PRIZE FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

Montreal – CBC BOOKS, CBC's website devoted to books and authors, readers and writers, together with its partners the Canada Council for the Arts, Air Canada enRoute magazine and Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, today announced the finalists for the 2017 CBC Poetry Prize.

They are:

  • Cornelia Hoogland of Hornby Island, British Columbia for Tourists Stroll A Victoria Waterway
  • Laboni Islam of Toronto, Ontario for Lunar Landing, 1966
  • Sarah Kabamba of Ottawa, Ontario for Carry
  • Alessandra Naccarato of Salt Spring Island, British Columbia for Postcards for my Sister
  • Harold Rhenisch of Vernon, British Columbia for Saying the Names Shanty

Their poems were selected from more than 2400 received from across the country. As of today, the public can read the five finalists on CBCBooks.ca.

The jurors for this year’s CBC Poetry Prize are Gary Barwin, Rosanna Deerchild and Humble the Poet. The winner of this year’s prize will be announced on November 22, 2017.

In addition to a cash prize of $6000 from the Canada Council for the Arts, the Grand Prize winner will receive a ten-day writing residency at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and will be published in Air Canada enRoute magazine as well as on the CBC Books website. The four other finalists will each receive $1000 from the Canada Council for the Arts and will be published on the CBC Books website.

More information on the French-language Prix du poésie finalists can be found at ICI.Radio-canada.ca/icionlit .

For more information on the CBC Literary Prizes, please visit CBCBooks.ca.

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About CBC Books

CBCbooks.ca features all of CBC's rich literary content and major events and programs such as Canada Reads, Canada Writes, The Next Chapter, and Writers & Company. This one-stop destination for book lovers and writers includes exclusive interviews with authors, the latest literary news stories, book recommendations and writing competitions.

About CBC/Radio-Canada

CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. We are Canada’s trusted source of news, information and Canadian entertainment. Deeply rooted in communities all across the country, CBC/Radio-Canada offers diverse content in English, French and eight Indigenous languages. We also provide international news and information from a uniquely Canadian perspective. In 2017, CBC/Radio-Canada will be at the heart of the celebrations and conversations with special 2017-themed multiplatform programming and events across Canada.

Canada Council for the Arts
The Canada Council for the Arts is Canada’s national public arts funder. We champion and invest in artistic excellence so that Canadians may enjoy and participate in a rich cultural life. In 2016-17 we allocated $196.8 million dollars towards artistic creation and innovation through our grants, prizes and payments. We also conduct research, convene activities and work with partners to advance the sector and help embed the arts more deeply in communities across the country. We are responsible for the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, which promotes the values and programs of UNESCO to contribute to a more peaceful, equitable and sustainable future for Canadians. The Canada Council Art Bank operates art rental programs and helps further public engagement with contemporary arts.

About Air Canada enRoute magazine

Air Canada enRoute magazine is seen by over 1 million readers each month.  The magazine – available exclusively on all Air Canada flights and in Maple Leaf Lounges worldwide as well as in select hotels and boutiques across North America – is an inspirational authority for the global traveler, known for its strong visual presence and innovative design. Air Canada enRoute is published by Bookmark, one of the world’s leading content marketing agencies. 

About Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity

Founded in 1933, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity is a learning organization built upon an extraordinary legacy of excellence in artistic and creative development. What started as a single course in drama has grown to become the global organization leading in arts, culture, and creativity across dozens of disciplines. From our home in the stunning Canadian Rocky Mountains, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity aims to inspire everyone who attends our campus – artists, leaders, and thinkers – to unleash their creative potential and realize their unique contribution to society through cross-disciplinary learning opportunities, world-class performances, and public outreach.

For further information, contact:

Nicola Makoway                                                                                               Diane Hargrave
Publicist, CBC Books                                                                                        Diane Hargrave Public Relations
nicola.makoway@cbc.ca                                                                               dhprbks@interlog.com
416-205-7673                                                                                                 416-467-9954

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