b'The 2022 ceremony is also being held after a short pause during an unprovoked war that is ravaging Ukrainethe homeland of both our ancestors and many members of the Ukrainian community in Canada; the root of Ukrainian strength, passion and creativity. As a foreign aggressor attempts to eliminate all traces of the Ukrainian identity, the stories celebrated with the KOBZAR Book Award take on even greater significance documenting the history of Ukrainian culture in Canada.Ukrainians have come a long wayfrom the first immigrants who came to Canada and persevered to be accepted to the powerful unified community that today shapes Canadian policies and engages the Canadian cultural community in support of the Ukrainian identity. The KOBZAR Book Award will continue to provide a space for Canadian storytellers to celebrate the Ukrainian Canadian story in all its diversity. 2020 KOBZAR Book Award finalistsfrom left Sandra Semchuk, John Paskievich, Laisha Rosnau, David Demchuk and Alex Leslie'