Former Giller Prize winner Madeleine Thien steps up protest ahead of gala

TORONTO – Controversy yet again cast a shadow over Giller Prize festivities as former winner Madeleine Thien criticized prize backers just as the book gala prepared to hand out the $100,000 award.
The Montreal-based author raised fresh rancour with a letter posted on X days before the bash that asked prize organizers to remove her name, image and work from its website and promotional material over the war ties associated with some sponsors.
Addressed to the Giller foundation’s board of directors and advisory council, Thien says winning in 2016 for “Do Not Say We Have Nothing” was one of the “great happinesses of my life,” and began a long association with the Giller that included appearances at televised galas and literary events.
She said that all ends amid ongoing demands by many in the arts community that the Giller cut ties with leading sponsor Scotiabank over the bank’s investment in Elbit Systems, an Israeli weapons producer.
“I respectfully request that my name and image and work be removed entirely from the Giller Prize website, and from any promotional material and videos. My work will no longer be submitted to the Giller Prize,” Thien says in a letter dated Thursday and posted to X on Saturday.
Thien said Monday by email that two members of the advisory council “reached out with great kindness” and “one told me my wishes would be respected.”
Elana Rabinovitch, executive director of the Giller Prize, said that the organization received the note and “will consider what steps can be taken moving forward.”
Rabinovitch declined to be interviewed, saying she was busy planning the gala, which is set to take place Monday night at a hotel in downtown Toronto with stricter security and no red carpet for media.
Instead of airing live as in previous years, the ceremony will be pre-taped for broadcast on CBC at 9 p.m. ET.
Controversy over the prize comes one year after pro-Palestinian demonstrators interrupted 2023’s televised ceremony and sparked later protests among hundreds of people in the arts community, including authors previously recognized by the Giller.
Traditionally a highlight among Canadian literati, the annual black-tie affair typically attracts a celeb-studded audience and features performances and comedy bits.
Glamour has taken a backseat this year to months of turmoil that at times played out online and in media reports.
Thien’s letter details several complaints, including that Rabinovitch led her to believe through emails in spring 2024 the foundation wanted to separate from Scotiabank.
Thien said she offered to raise money to fund this year’s prize and that “a meaningful award for a winner and shortlist” wasraised by “previous Giller winners” within three days.
She said she later learned through the media that the Giller was sticking with Scotiabank, but removing the sponsor’s name from the prize. Its contract expires at the end of next year.
While Scotiabank’s subsidiary sold some of its shares in Elbit Systems earlier this year, the bank has denied the protest has had anything to do with the change.
Thien also said in her letter she has had to block Rabinovitch on social media “due to social media attacks.”
Rabinovitch did not respond to a direct question by email about the alleged social media tags.
The five shortlisted authors this year include Anne Fleming, for her novel “Curiosities,” Anne Michaels for “Hope,” and Conor Kerr for “Prairie Edge.”
Deepa Rajagopalan is nominated for the short story collection “Peacocks of Instagram,” as is Eric Chacour for his novel “What I Know About You,” translated from the original French by Pablo Strauss.
-With files from Nicole Thompson
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 18, 2024.