Winners of the Taiwan Literature Awards for Migrants were announced on Thursday, naming eight writers from Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. The winning pieces explored themes including a longing for home, loneliness, and the difficulties migrants face working in a different country.
First place was awarded to “Memories of Roses” by Vietnamese author Vo Thi Diem Thu (武豔秋/ Wu Yen-chiu) and included a trophy and a NT$100,000 cash prize.
Indonesian writer Chin Nyap Fong (陳業芳/ Chen Yeh-fang) was given the “judge’s choice” award for her submission “Polishing: even stones can be turned into jade”, earning a trophy and a cash prize of NT$80,000.
Additional winners received cash prizes of NT$20,000 and trophies.
The awarding of the literature prize resumed this year after a two-year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 195 submissions came from authors who are either migrant workers, new immigrants, or second-generation immigrants living in Taiwan, with many stories written in the author’s native language. The award ceremony will be held on September 10 in Taipei.