Singapore’s government is committed to keeping books accessible, making it hard for authors of all backgrounds to win Singapore’s literary awards. But on Wednesday night, Singapore Prize saw its inaugural female English poetry winner as well as double victories in Chinese fiction categories.
Marylyn Tan was honored for her debut collection Gaze Back – which tackles taboo topics ranging from menstruation and sexuality. Its title draws upon Greek mythology’s Medusa who turns people to stone. Helene Cixous was an influence for this work of fiction.
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam presented this award at a ceremony at the National Museum of Singapore attended by dignitaries such as New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as guest of honour. Additionally, this event marked the launch of a new translation category which is open to works published between 2021-2023 that have been translated from English into Singaporean or permanent resident language and translated back into English by either themselves or someone working within Singaporean borders; winners in this category will receive $3,000 along with a trophy and 12-month Storytel audiobook gift subscription!
After its debut in 2016, this prize has again introduced a translation category. At first, it was open only to books written originally in another language but translated by Singaporeans into English; however, for 2024 judges felt it more fitting that translations receive their due recognition within a specific section of the programme.
Prof Miksic’s work represents a “fundamental reinterpretation of Singapore in an Asian context,” as explained by the jury. She draws upon literary records that suggest the island was already trading hub prior to 1819 and explores how its concept developed over time.
Khir Johari’s The Food Of Singapore Malays: Gastronomic Travels Through The Archipelago won first prize for non-fiction. After 14 years, this book managed to outwit five shortlisted titles.
Prizes were distributed on the eve of SG50 anniversary festivities. Other finalists included Akshita Nanda’s debut novel Nimita’s Place – set between India and Singapore with two women navigating expectations – as well as Ng Yi-Sheng’s speculative short story collection Lion City. This year saw a record submission rate for the SG50 History Prize, launched in 2014 to commemorate Singapore’s 50th birthday and administered jointly by National University of Singapore’s department of history and Epigram Books which publishes winners. Kishore Mahbubani, former diplomat and chair of the prize jury panel, suggested at a press conference before the ceremony that there may be plans to expand what works are eligible to qualify for consideration, giving an example like 12 Years A Slave as proof. Mahbubani noted how certain historical events may be better expressed through film, comics or other formats than through traditional text sources alone.