The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has announced it will hold the Indradevi Literary Competition for 2021, selecting winning compositions among short stories, novellas and poems for publication later next year.

In a description issued on December 15, the ministry said the contest seeks to preserve cultural values and promote national literature. Submissions will be accepted until June 30 of next year and five contest winners will receive cash and prizes.

Writers who want to enter the contest are welcome to select topics expressing morality and virtue. Compositions should use artistic styles which demonstrate the values of cultural sophistication, education and national identity.

Kok Ros, director of the ministry’s Department of Books and Reading, told The Post that the contest was initiated 20 years ago as a means of highlighting culturally relevant short stories and poems and to provide opportunities for displaying people’s writing accomplishments in a public forum. It also encourages a new generation of youths to appreciate writing and reading.

“Literacy is a part of our national culture. By encouraging the growth of literacy we facilitate the development of writers and the production of more books. In turn, having more books of good quality encourages more people to read and write. In this spirit, we announce our new writing contest and look for talented, accomplished people to join it,” he said.

Ros anticipated that the number of participants would increase past the 160 writers who had joined the previous contest. The ministry plans to publish and freely distribute winning contributions each year.

“We will compile winners’ compositions into a pamphlet for public circulation for all who like to read and write books. From last year’s contest we have selected to publish five poems and five stories to publish. This publication is nearly complete – maybe by the end of this year,” he said.

Lim Phana, the first-place winner of the Indradevi trophy in 2019, told The Post that applicants should take care to avoid typographical mistakes, especially in spelling. She advised using a dictionary and proof-reading printed copies after finishing each draft of a poem or novel.

“All candidates must pay attention to detail and abide by contest guidelines for length, fonts and format. They must consider the principles of the contest. Despite the freedom to choose topics they must ensure that their submission complies with thematic guidelines determined by the ministry,” she said.

Phana said she wanted to see the contest held every year in order to encourage writers and to promote literacy in general so that they continue to develop their craft.