When the Singapore prize was first introduced in 2014, it marked a first in Singapore: recognising publications that chronicled our nation’s history. Administered by NUS’ Department of History, it marked five decades of independence with cash awards of S$50,000 given out every three years to winners whose work left a lasting legacy on Singaporeans’ understanding of their history.
NUS historian Kishore Mahbubani published an opinion column appealing for Singapore philanthropists to make donations towards supporting the prize, and soon afterwards received an email from an individual offering S$500,000 with one condition – they wanted their gift placed into an endowment fund, with its interest then supporting the prize.
This prize demonstrates the significance of learning about our past, and how it has shaped us as citizens today. Additionally, it recognizes those who have dedicated their lives to writing or researching Singapore’s history; we should all take great pride in its story!
This year’s shortlist for the award, open to both fiction and non-fiction books, features one that examines an average family’s life. Written by Kamaladevi Aravindan with assistance from her daughter Anitha, Kamaladevi Aravindan’s book challenges the concept of history being simply about grand figures like Henry VIII or Jesus.
One work focuses on an eventful period in Singapore’s past — the 1950s — when its future was still unclear. Sembawang: The Last Days of the Republic by Jeremy Tiang chronicles an extended family through leftist political movements and detentions in Singapore and Malaysia, and came as an unexpected inclusion into this year’s prize pool – coming as an unexpected “nice surprise” to its author who lives in New York.
Vincent Tong’s biography of Sam Hua, who was responsible for multiple murders, is another highlight on the shortlist. Additionally, archaeologist John Miksic’s book on ancient artifacts found in Singapore was selected and was awarded its inaugural prize this year.
Mahbubani suggests expanding the prize to include other forms of media, like films and comics, which he believes could more effectively convey Singapore history while engaging young Singaporeans in doing so – using 12 Years a Slave as an example. “We may broaden the categories in future years but at present our goal is simply to recognize books which have an impactful story to tell about their history”, according to him. The prize will be handed out in 2022; for more information, visit their website here.