The singapore prize is a biennial literary award presented to authors for outstanding published works in Chinese, English and Malay. The winner receives both a cash prize of $3,000 as well as an engraved trophy.
The judging panel of the Singapore Prize selects a top prizewinner in each category, as well as an audience choice honoree to receive a $1,000 cash prize and a specially commissioned trophy. The winners will be honoured at an awards ceremony held in conjunction with the Singapore International Film Festival (SIFF) 2023.
Singapore’s prize aims to promote reading, writing, and the sharing of ideas across languages and cultures. It seeks to broaden the definition of history by inviting writings on a variety of perspectives and themes pertaining to the country’s past, from new and established writers alike. The prize is administered by the Department of History at NUS.
This year’s shortlist is slightly smaller than last, at 49 titles from 192 submissions, but that may reflect the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on publishing in the region. The prize’s theme this year is resonance, with the judges focusing on how literary works touch and inspire readers. Eight of the 12 winners are first-time recipients, with seasoned and emerging writers sharing the spotlight. Suratman Markasan and Wang Gungwu are the oldest winners at 91 years old, with both winning in creative nonfiction, while Tamil writer rmaa cureess clinched two awards in the Tamil fiction and Readers’ Favorite Tamil categories.
In another first for the prize, this year’s contest also included a film category in addition to the literary ones, with the aim of encouraging filmmakers to use their medium as a tool for social change. The jury for the film award selected Laha Mebow’s drama Gaga for its “warmth and sensitivity, as well as its beautiful direction that brought to life a world he knows so well.”
In a separate development, Prince William was met with rock star status as he arrived in Singapore on Thursday for the third annual Earthshot Prize. Hundreds of people lined up at Jewel Changi Airport to cheer him on and show him homemade signs, Union Jack flags and photos of his late mother Princess Diana. During his visit, the royal will meet Singaporeans to learn about how the local community is working to protect and restore the planet. He will also attend the United for Wildlife summit, which brings together representatives from law enforcement agencies and conservation groups to tackle illegal trade in wildlife.