Singapore Prize For History
In a sign of the times, Singapore is launching its first prize devoted to history, worth $50,000. The National University of Singapore’s history department threw the competition open to works on the city-state’s past in English, Chinese and Malay, with fiction and nonfiction competing together in each language. The competition was sparked by a column Kishore Mahbubani, dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, wrote in April on the need for a national history prize in Singapore. A few months later, a new citizen offered the prize money to the university, with one condition: he wished to remain anonymous.
This year’s winner of the top prize in the contest, Clara Chow, is the first author to win a consumer choice award in two languages and three categories. She was shortlisted in the English fiction, English creative nonfiction and Chinese poetry categories. She is also the first writer to be a shortlisted candidate in the program’s 30 years.
The 2023 winners of the Earthshot Prize were announced at a gala event at Mediacorp Campus in Singapore, which is a hub for cutting-edge innovation and entrepreneurship in Southeast Asia. The event was held two years late due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The prize was inspired by former U.S. President John F Kennedy’s “Moonshot” speech of 1962 that committed the nation to landing a man on the moon by the end of the decade. The winners were chosen from more than 1,300 submissions and were selected by a jury of global leaders in science, technology and business.
William arrived at the airport to a huge welcome from fans, with people lining the tarmac and streets around Changi Terminal 1. The heir to the British throne walked the green carpet along with his entourage — actor Sterling K. Brown, actress Hannah Waddingham and South African actor Mbatha — wearing dark green suits by Alexander McQueen, which is known for its sustainable fashion. They were joined by other celebrities and guests.
During his trip, the royal will try dragon boating, visit local schools and meet young Singaporeans who are using technology to protect wildlife and help the environment. He will also attend the United for Wildlife summit, featuring representatives from law enforcement agencies and conservation groups working to combat the trade in illegal wildlife products, estimated at $20 billion annually. He will then visit a Singapore Zoo to see animals that are protected by the government and other organisations. He will also learn about the country’s efforts to build resilience and address climate change. The visit is part of the royal’s 50th anniversary tour to commemorate his and Queen Elizabeth II’s golden jubilee in 2022. The trip is the third for both members of the royal family to visit the region. The couple previously visited Malaysia and Indonesia. William and Catherine have also visited Thailand and Cambodia in recent years.