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On 19 May 2014 a special event dedicated to mark 85 years anniversary of the famous Lithuanian-Israeli writer Grigory Kanovich took place at the Museum of Jewish People „Beit Hatfutsot“ in Tel Aviv. During the event his collected works in five volumes published in Lithuanian and Russian languages were presented.   The writer was congratulated by the Lithuanian Deputy Minister of Culture Darius Mažintas as well as the Lithuanian Ambassador to Israel Darius Degutis who extended greetings of the President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė.

Darius Mažintas thanked the author for his contribution to the development of the modern Lithuanian literature as well as building relations between Lithuania and Israel, for the strengthening of intercultural dialogue. D. Mažintas read the greetings of the Lithuanian Jewish community and the Deputy Speaker of the Lithuanian Parliament Gediminas Kirkilas. The Deputy Minister also awarded the writer with the Medal of Honor of the Ministry of Culture for his merit in promoting peace between nations and developing humanistic values.

Ambassador Darius Degutis who spoke during the event emphasized the importance of G. Kanovich works in developing relations between Lithuanian and Jewish people and creating future based on mutual understanding.

During the celebratory event Grigory Kanovich was also awarded with the Award “For the Merits for Vilnius and Nation”, established by public organizations of Vilnius.

G. Kanovich was born into a traditional Jewish family in the Lithuanian town of Jonava on June 18, 1929. G. Kanovich has written more than ten novels – a virtual epic saga about the history of Eastern European Jewry from the 19th century to the present days. Among them: a novel trilogy “Candles in the Wind,” novels “Fools’ Tears and Prayers”, “Smile Upon Us, Lord", “A Kid for Two Pennies”, “There is No Paradise for Slaves”, “Don’t Turn your Face from Death”, “The Jewish Park”, “The Rustle of Fallen Trees”, “The Devil’s Spell” and "Shtetl Romance." His books have been translated into twelve languages. The written works of Grigory Kanovich have earned the author a number of awards in Lithuania and Israel, including the Lithuanian Government Award. Grigory Kanovich is the recipient of the illustrious Medal of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas.

Between 1989 and 1993 G. Kanovich served as Chairman of the Jewish Community of Lithuania.

Since 1993 the writer lives in Israel.