On Saturday, November 29, 2025, the Peterson Literary Fund, under the auspices of the BCU Foundation, hosted the distinguished Translated Book Award Gala at Toronto’s historic Old Mill. The annual celebration brought together authors, translators, publishers, philanthropists, diplomats, and community leaders to honour literary achievement and reaffirm global solidarity with Ukraine. It was truly a gathering place for voices that refuse to be silenced.
Since its launch in 2021, the Peterson Literary Fund has upheld a tradition of supporting literary excellence through annual awards, prizes, and grants, alternating each year between works in translation and original-language publications. Last year’s ceremony honoured six finalists and awarded the 2024 Peterson Literary Prize for nonfiction to journalist Yaroslav Trofimov for his acclaimed work Our Enemies Will Vanish. This year, the spotlight returned to translated works, recognizing outstanding contributions that broaden global understanding of Ukrainian perspectives and promote cross-cultural dialogue.
The following outstanding works were recognized for their exceptional literary merit, masterful translation, and profound contribution to global conversations about Ukraine, freedom, and the enduring human spirit in times of war:
- Failed State: A Guide to Russia’s Rupture / Неспроможна держава: Інструкція з розшматування Росії by Janusz Bugajski, translation into Ukrainian by Hanna Rak, Anna Melnychenko, Oleksandr Okhrimenko and Maria Dubrova
- On Freedom / Про свободу by Timothy Snyder, translation into Ukrainian by Halyna Herasym
- State of War / Стан війни edited by Evgenia Lopata and Andriy Lyubka translated into English by Yulia Lyubka and Kate Tzurkan
- Ukrainian Sunrise: Stories of the Donetsk and Luhansk Regions from the Early 2000sь Книга Схід українського сонця. Історії Донеччини та Луганщини початку ХХІ століття by Kateryna Zarembo, translated into English by Tetiana Savchynska
The evening opened with remarks by Lisa Shymko, Chief Administrator of the Peterson Literary Fund and Chair of the Awards Jury. She welcomed guests and reaffirmed the vision of Stanley Peterson, the fund’s founder, to build “a Canadian literary foundation with Ukrainian roots and global reach.”
Shymko shared highlights of Peterson’s remarkable life story—a journey shaped by persecution, wartime displacement, and eventual refuge in Canada. Born Bohdan Patyk in 1921 in Galicia, Peterson survived arrest by the NKVD, imprisonment in the Gulag, service in the Allied Forces, and years in a refugee camp before beginning a new life in Canada. His success as a businessman and his passion for language and literature enabled him to support cultural, educational, and humanitarian initiatives across Canada and Ukraine. The fund he established is now a lasting legacy, ensuring continued support for authors, translators, and publishers for generations to come.
Representing the BCU Foundation, Chair Bohdan Leshchyshen reaffirmed the Foundation’s longstanding commitment to Ukraine and the Ukrainian-Canadian community, emphasizing the unity of community partners in sustaining vital programs and cultural initiatives that strengthen both nations.
A greeting from the Government of Canada was delivered by The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, who reiterated Canada’s steadfast support for Ukraine. She also recognized the extraordinary contributions of one man in the room, Howard G. Buffett, whose foundation has donated $1.3 billion to Ukraine for demining, rebuilding shelters, replacing shattered windows, supporting evacuation efforts, and assisting farmers.
Speaking on behalf of the Government of Ukraine, Oleh Nikolenko highlighted the critical importance of translating Ukrainian works. He noted that literature and translation are part of Ukraine’s broader information defence, a vital front in telling Ukraine’s truth to the world.
A highlight of the Gala was the presentation of the 2025 Journey for Truth Award to Howard G. Buffett, in recognition of his unwavering compassion, philanthropic leadership, and efforts to document Russian war crimes while supporting Ukraine’s reconstruction.
Buffett is a businessman, philanthropist, author, photographer, farmer, and global humanitarian who has dedicated his foundation’s resources to strengthening food security, reducing conflict, and aiding vulnerable communities worldwide. His support for Ukraine has included humanitarian demining, agricultural recovery, emergency relief, DNA testing infrastructure for war crimes investigations, and major contributions to the Superhumans Center in Lviv. His fireside chat with Ali Velshi, award-winning journalist and Chief Correspondent for MS NOW, offered guests a powerful and deeply personal reflection on Ukraine’s resilience and the global importance of defending truth.
The 2025 Translated Book Award Gala stood not only as a celebration of literary excellence but also as a tribute to Ukraine’s cultural endurance and the global network of partners dedicated to supporting it. Through the work of translators, writers, publishers, and philanthropists, Ukrainian stories continue to reach new audiences preserving memory, strengthening identity, and inspiring hope.
As the evening concluded, one message resonated clearly that literature is a bridge connecting nations, preserving truth, and giving voice to the resilient spirit of the Ukrainian people.
In a special gesture of appreciation, each guest received a gift from the Peterson Literary Fund: a selection of books, including the powerful publication Courage of a Nation: Three Years of War by Howard G. Buffett, featuring striking photographs that capture the resilience and determination of the Ukrainian people throughout the war.
