<p>For the last year, Canada’s premier literary award The Giller Prize has been embroiled in a controversy that has split the Canadian literary community. Last years gala was interrupted by protestors who rushed the stage carrying placards emblazoned with ‘Scotiabank Funds Genocide.’ </p><p><br></p><p>What they were referring to was the fact The Giller’s lead sponsor, Scotiabank, was a principal shareholder of one of Israel’s largest weapons manufacturers. They also objected to a pair of Giller sponsors invested in the Israeli military and settlements in the occupied West Bank. </p><p><br></p><p>Since then, a number of former Giller winners, along with hundreds of bookworkers across the country have committed to a boycott.</p><p><br></p><p>Winner of the 2005 Giller Prize David Bergen joins the show to discuss his decision not to attend this year’s Giller Prize – and a broader conversation about the duty of a writer, and whether it is possible for artists to reconcile their personal convictions with the interests of corporate sponsors. </p><p><br></p><p>For transcripts of Front Burner, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts</p>
