Singapore Prize 30th Anniversary Winners AnnouncedSingapore Prize 30th Anniversary Winners Announced
Since 2003, the Singapore Prize has offered writers and readers alike an opportunity to explore subjects ranging from national history to contemporary art. Now in its 30th anniversary edition, this contest celebrates resonance: how literature can move us all in meaningful ways.
The winner of the reader’s choice award will receive $1,000; four shortlisted works will each receive book purchase vouchers valued at $500 from judges; this decision will be announced in October. In addition, there is also a professional category in which five books reviewed by professional panel of judges will be selected for public consideration.
This year’s prizes were revealed at a ceremony hosted at Mediacorp Theatre by actor Sterling K. Brown and actresses Hannah Waddingham and Angela Sarafian, featuring bands One Republic, Bastille and singer-songwriter Bebe Rexha as performers; William donned a 10-year-old green blazer in keeping with this year’s sustainable theme, while other presenters strolled a “green carpet.”
Professor John Miksic’s book Singapore and the Silk Road of the Sea, 1300-1800 won top honours as part of programs celebrating Singapore 50. A four-member jury led by NUS East Asian Institute Chairman Wang Gungwu chose it, making history by selecting nonfiction works like Miksic’s book for consideration for this prize, first introduced as part of commemorative programs to mark SG50 back in 2014.
NUS Asia Research Institute distinguished fellow Kishore Mahbubani proposed this prize in his column last year, noting how American social scientist Benedict Anderson’s view that nations are imagined communities explains why shared imagination is crucial for society today. This year’s judges include historians Ian Gordon and Seng Guo Quan; educator Beatrice Chong; curator Suhaili Osman; and playwright Alfian Sa’at.
Contestants with valid Singapore passports or permanent residency visas may submit entries into any one of three categories – literary fiction; English creative nonfiction; Chinese poetry or an combination thereof. Singapore’s gambling laws do not regulate prize promotions and sweepstakes, however. Winners will be notified within two weeks after results have been released by contest organisers. Winners will be contacted using either their email or phone number provided in their entry form, and published in The Straits Times as the top 10 winners. Winnings are taxable and the winner must declare them when filing their tax return. In case of any dispute between winners and judges, their decision is final and disqualification of an entry deemed fraudulent, false, or violative of rules may occur – full terms and conditions available here.