Singapore’s literary scene was adorned with brilliance as the 16th edition of the Golden Point Award (GPA) unfolded at The Arts House today. Organised by Arts House Limited (AHL), supported by the National Arts Council (NAC), and in collaboration with the Singapore Book Council (SBC), this biennial award ceremony celebrated the literary excellence of 44 local writers, acknowledging outstanding short stories, poems, and, for the first time, translation works of local short stories.
Diverse Recognition Across Languages
The 2023 GPA winners, selected from a robust pool of over 900 entries across Singapore’s four official languages—English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil—received well-deserved recognition for their contributions to the nation’s literary landscape.
Inaugural Mentorship Program
In a groundbreaking move, this year’s GPA introduces a mentorship program for each prize winner across various categories. The program aims to guide winners in further developing their winning works, paving the way for potential publication. Post-GPA, participants will have the invaluable opportunity to connect with established writers in Singapore who will serve as mentors.
Diverse Entrants, Diverse Perspectives
Founded by NAC in 1993 and overseen by AHL since 2021, the Golden Point Award has consistently attracted participants from various walks of life. This year’s submissions demonstrated the breadth of talent, featuring the youngest entrant at 6 years old and the oldest at 79, proving that age knows no bounds when it comes to creative writing.
High Standards and Unique Perspectives
Entries this year received accolades from adjudicators who commended the high standards observed across all languages and categories. The judges were particularly impressed by the prevalence of works that offered unique perspectives on social topics, showcasing the diverse and thought-provoking nature of Singaporean literature.
Spotlight on Translation Works
For the first time, the GPA included a translation category, spotlighting six translated works and their translators. This category celebrated short stories originally written by Singaporean writers in Chinese, Malay, and Tamil, now translated to English. The introduction of this category aims to amplify the reach of local vernacular works, fostering greater accessibility and cross-cultural understanding.
