Eurithe Purdy launches $10K prize for Canadian poets in memory of husband Al Purdy
The Al and Eurithe Purdy Poetry Prize will recognize the best new book of Canadian poetry
Eurithe Purdy, the widow of acclaimed poet Al Purdy, has launched a $10,000 prize recognizing the best Canadian book of poetry.
The Al and Eurithe Purdy Poetry Prize was born from conversations between Eurithe and her nephew as a way to help today's poets and memorialize Al and his literary legacy, she told CBC Books in an email.
"Al and I enjoyed a long and wonderful career together subsisting on the meagre earnings of poetry and benefited greatly from numerous awards that both buoyed our morale and helped pay the rent," she said.
"I have always wanted to return the favour and help support new generations of Canadian poets. It gives me great satisfaction to finally be in that position and I know Al would be thrilled as well."
At 99 years old, Eurithe wanted to be involved in the process, so she couldn't afford to waste time.
"I feel quite elated that I've finally decided, instead of procrastinating, to do something," she said.
In consultation with trusted advisors and literary experts, she'll judge the first iteration of the prize, selecting from books published in the past two years.
The inaugural recipient will be announced on April 21, the 24th anniversary of Al Purdy's death.
Future winners will be selected by a panel of judges including poets, critics and academics. The submission details are not yet finalized but will be announced when they are available.
"So many of our awards have gone international," said Eurithe in an interview, highlighting that a connection to the Canadian spirit is a key aspect of the prize.
In previous years, the Griffin Poetry Prize awarded $65,000 to two works of English-language poetry — one Canadian and one international. Now, the $130,000 prize is a single award offered to the best book of poetry written or translated to English.
With the 2023 changes to the Griffin Prize, a $10,000 prize is also awarded for a Canadian first book of poetry.
Al Purdy published over 30 poetry collections, a novel, two memoirs and four books of letters over his 50-year career. Known as Canada's unofficial poet laureate, he received two Governor General's Literary Awards for poetry for The Cariboo Horses and The Collected Poems of Al Purdy.
He was awarded the Order of Canada in 1982 and won the League of Canadian Poets' Voice of the Land Award, recognizing his contributions to Canadian poetry.
In honour of his 100th birthday, Harbour publisher Howard White edited Beyond Forgetting: Celebration 100 Years of Al Purdy, an anthology of poetry in celebration of Purdy's craft.
"It is entirely fitting that Al's name be commemorated on a major poetry award and Eurithe is to be congratulated for making it possible," said White in a press statement.
"Many poets will have occasion to appreciate her vision over the years."
