Taipei, Taiwan – The Taiwan Literature Awards for Migrants honored writer Chin Nyap Fong with its top award in a ceremony that highlighted the rich cultural contributions of the island’s migrant community. Chin, originally from Indonesia, captured First Prize for her narrative “Titik Hitam Seorang Rika” (Rika’s Black Spot), a poignant exploration of cultural disparities and the complex quest for identity and recognition.
Chin, a naturalized Taiwanese, artfully incorporated multiple languages into her work, including Indonesian, Taiwanese Hokkien, and Hakka, to reflect Taiwan’s diverse cultural tapestry. Her decision to translate the work into Chinese herself further underscores her dedication to bridging cultural gaps through literature. Her prize included a trophy and NT$150,000 (approximately US$4,660).
The awards, now in their ninth year, celebrate literary works penned by migrants and their descendants, emphasizing the voices of an often underrepresented segment of society. Contestants originate from diverse backgrounds, contributing submissions in Indonesian, Thai, Vietnamese, Tagalog, and Burmese. This year, the entries comprised 208 works, showcasing the extensive participation and engagement within the migrant community.
In other recognized works, the Jury Prize went to Trần Minh Hợp for his Vietnamese-language narrative “Sự Sống” (Vitality), which also clinched a Teen Choice Award. This poignant story resonated with both the official juries and the youth panel, highlighting the universal appeal and impact of Trần’s storytelling.
Further enriching the awards, Choice Awards acknowledged the literary excellence of Ririn Arumsari’s “Sebuah Kenangan” (“A Memory”) and Sri Lestari’s “DEBU KECIL DI NEGERI SIM SALABIM” (“Fine Dust of the Magical Nation”), both crafted in Indonesian. Meanwhile, Đức Mạnh’s “Vải trái tim” (“Lychee of the Heart”) won hearts with its touching narrative in Vietnamese.
The diversity of languages and stories mirrored the varied cultural identities that make up Taiwan’s social fabric and the broader diaspora narrative. The event’s location at the Shanjia Railway Station in New Taipei’s Shulin District served as a poignant reminder of the journeys many migrants undertake.
The final selection process was rigorously undertaken by a multicultural jury panel including prominent figures like Taiwanese writer Chang Ta-chuen, writer and actress Joanne Deng, documentary director Ke Wan-ching, journalism scholar Fang Nien-hsuan, and publisher Liao Chih-feng. Their diverse backgrounds were instrumental in the unbiased selection of winners, providing a breadth of insights into the multicultural influences resonating through the entries.
In addition to monetary awards and trophies, the First Prize winner enjoys the unique opportunity to see their work adapted for film or television, offering a platform for these migrant stories to reach even broader audiences.
By fostering a space where migrant voices can thrive and their stories heard, the Taiwan Literature Awards for Migrants not only enriches Taiwan’s cultural landscape but also serves as a beacon of inclusivity and respect for storytelling’s power to unite distinct worlds.