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Leacock Gala cancelled, but coveted award still up for grabs

Judging of the 84 submitted books will continue and the winner will be announced June 5; Achievements will be celebrated at 2021 Gala
Leacock Medal
Leacock Medal for Humour. File photo

NEWS RELEASE
STEPHEN LEACOCK ASSOCIATES
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Stephen Leacock Associates awards the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour to the author of the best book of humour each year.  The medal has been awarded annually since 1947 and is usually presented at a gala dinner in the first week of June. 

The President and Board of Directors of Stephen Leacock Associates regretfully announce that the Gala Weekend activities at which the winner of the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour is named have had to be cancelled owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, judging of the 84 submitted books will continue, and a long list of 10 and a shortlist of 3 will be published on the planned dates of Sunday, April 19, 2020, and Friday, May 1, 2020, respectively.  The winner will be announced on Friday, June 5, 2020.

The medal and prize money will be awarded as usual, and the winner and other shortlisted authors will be invited to attend the Gala Weekend in June, 2021 when their achievements will be belatedly recognized.

The Board also regrets the necessity of cancelling the Student Humorous Essay Award for this year owing to the disruption to the school year caused by the pandemic. Entries received so far will be returned to their authors and their entry fees will be refunded.

For more information, please see our website at www.leacock.ca.

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