Singapore Prize 2024 Winners Announced
The Singapore prize is awarded to books that demonstrate an outstanding level of creativity and achievement in the writing of nonfiction and fiction. The prize is administered by the National Book Development Council of Singapore. Winners are honoured across 12 categories in Chinese, English, Malay and Tamil. The winning book must be a published work and written in any of the country’s four official languages. Applicants are judged on their ability to write with style, clarity and authority on topics of significance. The prize also seeks to promote an understanding of Singapore’s history and culture to a wider audience. The winning work should illuminate mindsets and values integral to the nation, such as equality, diversity, religious harmony, meritocracy and pragmatism.
The winners of the 2024 Singapore Prize will be announced later this year. The prize was established through an endowed donation from Confucian scholar and businessman Alan Chan. It recognizes works that showcase the values and spirit of Singapore, including its unique culture, and helps to nurture and inspire new writers from different backgrounds and nationalities.
A total of 10 Singaporean authors have won this prestigious literary award, which was established in 1988. It honours works of exceptional literary merit and is considered the premier book award in Singapore. The winning novels and poetry collections are selected from a pool of finalists nominated by a panel of judges consisting of local and foreign literary experts and writers. The authors of the shortlisted works receive cash prizes and a commemorative certificate. The shortlisted works are also published in book form by the award winner.
In line with the sustainability theme, the awards night saw presenters wearing outfits that were recycled or sustainable. Prince William wore an old dark green suit by Alexander McQueen, and South African actor Mbatha wore a gown made from eco-friendly material.
At the glitzy event, the prince praised this year’s 15 Earthshot Prize finalists for demonstrating “that hope does remain” despite the devastating effects of climate change. He lauded 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.
He said that the world can no longer ignore the issue of climate change as “the costs are too high.”
The royal’s visit to Singapore was in conjunction with United for Wildlife’s global summit bringing together representatives of law enforcement agencies, conservation groups and companies to fight the illegal trade in wildlife products estimated at US$20 billion annually.
The heir to the British throne stepped off the plane at Jewel Changi Airport in Singapore to a rock star welcome, with crowds cheering and holding signs, flowers, photos of his late mother Princess Diana. He walked up to the 40m-high Rain Vortex at the indoor garden and was treated to a show of the largest indoor waterfall being lit up green to celebrate his arrival. The prince later joined the United for Wildlife partners in a discussion of their efforts to tackle the problem.
