ItB次元官网网址檚 the coronation many artists spend their careers striving for: taking to the stage in full dress to the applause of their peers, and accepting an award for mastery of their craft.

Scotiabank Giller Prize organizers intend to make that dream a reality for one Canadian writer Monday as they usher in the return of in-person awards glamour at a televised gala.

The star-studded soiree at TorontoB次元官网网址檚 Park Hyatt hotel will reunite the Canadian literati after the COVID-19 crisis forced the Giller to go digital last year.

While other literary awards opted for a second round of remote ceremonies this fall, executive director Elana Rabinovitch says the Giller made it a priority to bring back the pageantry of the fall books season within public health constraints, dusting off the red carpet to properly fete the five finalists for the $100,000 honour.

B次元官网网址淟ast year, even though we had a virtual gala, itB次元官网网址檚 just not the same thing,B次元官网网址� Rabinovitch said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e going back to tradition.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a chance to get dressed up, to really put on your finest and glam out and to feel like youB次元官网网址檙e sort of back to the before times.B次元官网网址�

The black-tie affair will be even more exclusive than usual as the guest list has been slashed by more than half to just shy of 200 people, down from about 450 in previous years, Rabinovitch said.

Attendees will be asked to show proof of vaccination and photo ID to enter the cocktail area, where theyB次元官网网址檒l be allowed to take off their masks while making chit-chat over crudit茅s.

Based on the in-person festivities leading up to MondayB次元官网网址檚 gala, Rabinovitch said she expects there will be an extra B次元官网网址渇risson of excitement in the airB次元官网网址� as guests rub elbows for the first time after nearly two years of social distancing.

B次元官网网址淥ur social muscles have atrophied,B次元官网网址� she said, recalling the atmosphere of the Giller short list announcement last month.

B次元官网网址淚t wasnB次元官网网址檛 awkward in a bad way. It was awkward in a really sort of dynamic way.B次元官网网址�

The ballroom will be styled to evoke the intimacy of a jazz supper club, with guests seated at banquettes as they dine and enjoy performances by Measha Brueggergosman and the Ian Sinclair Quartet, said Rabinovitch.

She said organizers felt this theme would evoke some of the GillerB次元官网网址檚 signature lustre, while being mindful not to turn up the wattage too high lest they send the wrong message.

B次元官网网址淵ou donB次元官网网址檛 want to go so luxe that it just it feels like youB次元官网网址檙e ignoring the realities of the world out there.B次元官网网址�

Barry Avrich, executive producer and creative director of the Giller television show, said he expects this yearB次元官网网址檚 CBC broadcast, co-hosted by actor Paul Sun-Hyung Lee and poet Rupi Kaur,will restore the sense of occasion befitting of B次元官网网址渢he Oscars of the book world.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淗aving a live feel to it is paramount to really reflecting the essence of what an award show is,B次元官网网址� the filmmaker said.

B次元官网网址淵ou look to the audience as a visceral cue to what you should be excited about and what you should react to, and you can feel the drama in the room as you lead up to the big moment.B次元官网网址�

It will be a far cry from last yearB次元官网网址檚 production, said Avrich, which featured a mix of pre-recorded cameos and live feeds of the finalists beaming in from their respective bunkers.

B次元官网网址淧eople watching at home have spent nearly two years of watching people in their apartments and their kitchens and their basements,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭hey are interested in seeing something that has a little bit more visual expression and escape, so we will provide that.B次元官网网址�

The nominees vying to win the Giller on Monday are:

B次元官网网址� Omar El Akkad for his novel B次元官网网址淲hat Strange Paradise,B次元官网网址� published by McClelland & Stewart

B次元官网网址� Ang茅lique Lalonde, nominated for her story collection B次元官网网址淕lorious Frazzled Beings,B次元官网网址� published by House of Anansi

B次元官网网址� Cheluchi Onyemelukwe-Onuobia for her novel B次元官网网址淭he Son of The House,B次元官网网址� published by Dundurn Press

B次元官网网址� Jordan Tannahill for his novel B次元官网网址淭he Listeners,B次元官网网址� published by HarperCollins Canada

B次元官网网址� Miriam Toews for her novel B次元官网网址淔ight Night,B次元官网网址� published by Knopf Canada

Adina Bresge, The Canadian Press

Like us on and follow us on .