The inaugural Singapore prize, which recognises works of non-fiction in English, Mandarin or Tamil on the nation’s history and culture, was awarded to archaeologist John Miksic for his book Singapore and the Silk Road of the Sea, 1300-1800. The work demonstrates how fragmented historical records such as literary references to Temasek point towards its existence long before Sir Stamford Raffles arrived in 1819, and how archaeological discoveries such as glass shards, bronze bowls and coins confirm the story of a trading settlement on the southern coast of the island.
The prize was set up in 2014 by the NUS Department of History to spur interest in the country’s storied past and encourage more discussion on the Republic’s role in the world. It also aims to make the complexities and nuances of Singapore’s history more accessible to a wider audience beyond academic circles.
Former Singapore diplomat Kishore Mahbubani, who chairs the five-member jury panel that selects the winning works, said at a media conference on Thursday (Jan 11) that the biggest challenge for Singapore in the 21st century is no longer economic but building a strong national identity through a shared sense of history. He added that he is heartened by the growing popularity of the prize and the “resonance” it has generated in society.
This year, the prize received more than 1,000 entries across the four languages, of which a total of 20 have been shortlisted for the top honours. This is a record number of submissions, and marks a significant increase over the previous decade.
The shortlisted works are a diverse collection of books on different aspects of Singapore’s history and culture. They cover topics as varied as the nation’s food, heritage and cultural landscapes to its political and military histories.
In addition to the top prizes, the judges will select a People’s Choice winner. The public can vote for their favorite of the six shortlisted works at sgprize.com from Jan 1 to Feb 2025. The winner will receive a cash award of S$10,000.
This year’s competition is supported by conservation organisation Conservation International (CI). CI brings its decades of expertise in spotlighting the value and benefits of nature to the prize and connecting it with its global network of partners that are committed to scalable, innovative solutions for people and the planet. CI will also support the award’s outreach efforts to encourage greater public participation in the selection of the next prize winner. In the run-up to the announcement of the prize winner in 2024, CI will feature an excerpt from the finalist works in its publications and online platforms, as well as at various public events.