Winners Of The NUS Singapore Prize For Literature
A maker of solar-powered dryers, a soil carbon marketplace and groups that work to make electric car batteries cleaner, restore Andean forests and deter illegal fishing were among the five winners of Britain’s Prince William’s Earthshot Prize at a glitzy ceremony in Singapore. The prince, whose royal foundation launched the 10-year awards program in 2020, said the solutions presented by all 15 finalists proved “hope does remain” as the effects of climate change are felt around the globe. Oscar winner Cate Blanchett, actors Donnie Yen and Lana Condor and Australian wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin were among celebrities who joined the prince to walk the “green carpet” at the glitzy event held at the Theatre of state-owned Mediacorp. They all coordinated their outfits with the thick green carpet, with the prince wearing a dark green suit and dickie bow. Irwin wore a long black sparkling ball gown and carried an over-sized poppy as a mark of remembrance for victims of climate change and illegal wildlife trafficking.
The winning works, which will be honoured at a ceremony at the Esplanade Theaters on the Bay later this month, will receive cash prizes of up to $200,000 as well as certificates of appreciation and support from government agencies and other organisations. The judges also awarded two honourable mentions that did not come with a cash prize: Home Is Where We Are by Hidayah Mohammad, which chronicles the legacy of an ordinary couple who created one of Asia’s most successful lotteries; and Theatres Of Memory: Industrial Heritage Of 20th Century Singapore by Lynn Wong, Alex Tan, Loh Kah Seng, Koh Keng Wee, Tan Teng Pheol and Juria Toramae.
The NUS Singapore History Prize was established in 2014 as part of the national SG50 programme to mark Singapore’s 50th anniversary of independence. It is administered by NUS’ Department of History and aims to encourage engagement with Singaporean history broadly understood. It is open to both local and foreign authors, whose book-length publications address any time period, theme or field of Singapore’s history.
A jury panel headed by Kishore Mahbubani, Distinguished Fellow at NUS’ Asia Research Institute, selected the shortlist of six books from 26 submissions authored by local and foreign historians. The panel decided to give a special commendation to Leluhur: Singapore Kampong Gelam, which was compiled by Hidayah Mohammad, for its “richly engaging” and detailed account of the lives of residents in a typical neighbourhood.
The public is invited to vote for their favourite book by filling out a ballot form at any of the Singapore Pools outlets until October 2nd. The top six shortlisted titles will be announced at the NUS Singapore History Prize 2024 awards ceremony later this month. The NUS Singapore History Prize is supported by the Ministry of Education. The NUS Book Council Achievement Award for Singapore history was also presented at the ceremony, which was hosted by actress Hannah Waddingham. It was given to the late Malay author Suratman Markasan’s daughter, Dr Suriani Suratman, on his behalf.