The Singapore Prize is Designed to Foster a Deeper Understanding of Singapore’s History

The world is fascinated by Singapore’s unique success story. Younger generations too want to know more about this remarkable island nation. That is why the Singapore Prize is designed to foster a deeper understanding of our history amongst our youth.

The Prize will reward works of fiction and non-fiction by local and international writers on the themes of Singapore’s history. Submissions can take the form of books, newspaper and magazine articles, documentary films and other creative works, as long as they are published in English and contain clear historical themes about Singapore.

This year’s contest received a record-breaking number of entries from the public, including students from Nanyang Girls’ High School and Hwa Chong Institute, who wrote books on their family histories, and senior citizens who spent years putting together genealogical records. Mr Baey commended them for “investing their time, energy and passion in preserving our collective history.”

Prof Miksic’s book on Singapore and the Silk Road of the Sea, 1300-1800 was a clear winner with a Special Mention, after he explained how fragmented historical information such as literary references to Temasek from Chinese trader Wang Dayuan in the 13th century and archaeological digs uncovering glass shards and bronze bowls indicated that the city existed seven centuries before Sir Stamford Raffles arrived here in 1819. He also pointed out how undisturbed layers of soil at Fort Canning reflected that the area had been settled for centuries before the British established the settlement.

Four authors were selected as consumer winners in the ‘readers’ favorite’ category, which includes works of fiction and creative non-fiction. Each will receive a cash prize of 1,000 Singapore dollars (US$719).

The Singapore Literature Prize is a biennial award that recognises outstanding published works in English, Malay and Tamil languages by Singapore authors. This year, the competition is celebrating its 10th anniversary with an expanded roster of categories. For the first time, the contest will recognise the best fiction and creative non-fiction in three languages, in addition to a new shortlist for poetry in each language.

For the first time in its 10-year history, the prize awarded its inaugural Earthshot Prize to innovators who are tackling climate change, with Britain’s Prince William overseeing the ceremony. He will spotlight the finalists’ innovation projects at events in Singapore, and host a summit of law enforcement officials, conservationists and companies working to curb the illicit trade in wildlife products, estimated to be worth $20 billion annually.

An Indian 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 won the top prizes. Mr William, who helped launch the prize in 2020, said the solutions exemplified by the 15 finalists showed that “hope does remain” as the world deals with climate change.