Singapore Literature Prize 2020 Virtual Awards Ceremony

Even when events remain suspended, the show must go on. And in this case, the show is the Singapore Literature Prize (SLP), the city's most prestigious literary award. It's essential – even more so now – to carry on recognising and celebrating the hard work, contributions, and achievements around us. Doing so helps us, as a society, continue forward, even when things feel like a standstill.

Hosted by the Singapore Book Council, the SLP marks the latest award ceremony to embrace the digital space with a webcast on August 27 from 8pm. Based on the theme #WhyWeWrite, the awards ceremony examines the key factors that drive writers to write, and the reasons behind the relevance of the SLP, especially in these challenging times.

This year, 52 shortlisted works are in the running for Singapore's most prestigious literary award. There are 12 categories that span three genres – poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction – across the four official languages – English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil. Shortlisted writers include Amanda Lee Koe for Delayed Rays of a Star, Ng Yi-Sheng for Lion City, Akshita Nanda for Nimita's Place, Teo You Yenn for This is What Inequality Looks Like, and Ng Shi Wen for Hard at Work: Life in Singapore.

Prior to the award ceremony, get up close and personal – virtually – with the shortlisted writers through a series of online #AtHomeWithSLP panel discussions based on the theme #WhyWeWrite. Get a different POV around topics such as home, history, diversity, and the role of writers in these troubled times. On August 20 at 8pm, tune into Diversity in SingLit: What more can be done? for a panel discussion the various ways to diversify the literary scene and include more different voices and perspectives in books.

Besides the thought-provoking discussions, exciting updates and sneak peeks can also be found via the Singapore Book Council Facebook and Instagram pages, leading up the awards ceremony. When the day comes, tune into Facebook Live and celebrate outstanding literary works with fellow literature lovers, readers, and writers. For more information, visit bookcouncil.sg/singapore-literature-prize.