Caption: Co-founder of the Crocodile Prize Phil Fitzpatrick
Caption: PNG Literary Legend Sir Paulius Matane
Caption: (L) PNG Literary Veteran Russel Soaba sharing a word with up and coming
writer and Book of the Year Award winner Leonard Roka Fong
Caption: (Right) Australian High Commissioner Deborah Stokes, posing with Short
Stories award winner (third from right) Agnes Maineke, and family members.
By
Matthew Vari
November Issue 2014 (CITIZEN PNG Magazine)
WHEN one thinks of Papua New Guinea Literature,
one thinks of the big names like Kumalau Tawali, Paulius Matane, Vincent Eri,
Russel Soaba and Maori Kiki to name a few that brought the art of writing to
extraordinary heights in the 1960 to 70s leading up to the 80s. PNG literature
was a beast of resistance through anti-colonial poetry, fiction, novella’s and
biographies that gave contrasts of two worlds trapped on one land and the
extremes of making them both work.
Since that era, PNG literature has somewhat been
on the backburner, with works being written on a yearly basis, the nitch that
gave acclaimed reviews from audiences as far as the US and Australia to the
plight of the native colonized and his views towards his colonizer.
With eventual independence and a new breed of
problems and enemies in the form of foreign economic exploitation, not to
forget the chronic strangle in the issue of corruption- PNG Literary Culture
has not fully regained its vigor it once had. But thanks to the efforts of two
true Papua New Guineans in heart- literary creative writing is now on the verge
of making its mark, in light of the vast developments occurring in a much
matured Papua New Guinea from its pre to post independence era.
The two gentlemen in Keith Jackson and Phil
Fitzpatrick set in motion a literary competition called the ‘Crocodile
Prize’, a national literary awards for Papua New Guinean that begun in 2010,
with the first awards given in 2011. The Crocodile Prize is Papua New Guinea’s
national writing contest open to any citizen of PNG. It was established to
promote Papua New Guinean writing and to grow literature. The contest and
related activities are managed by the Crocodile Prize Organization, COG.
On a wet afternoon on Thursday September 18,
the 2014 Crocodile Prize awards ceremony was hosted by the Australian High Commission
in Port Moresby. Well attended by those in the literary fraternity, the
veterans of the PNG literature, and a very good turnout in representation of
Members of Parliament.
Seven categories of Children’s Writing, Poetry,
Essays and Journalism, Book of the Year, Heritage Writing, and Short Stories,
and the Lifetime Contribution to PNG Literature award were handed out to the
winners.
Host, and Australian High Commissioner, Deborah
Stokes in her opening address to those present said that there were 600 entries
into the competition from 130 writers, who were from 21 provinces in the
country.
“This is a remarkable achievement and is an
indication that the prize continues to grow even more into the years,” Ms
Stokes said
“The 500 page anthology launched also and we
hope it will encourage many other Papua New Guineans who struggle to find
avenues to publish their work about Papua New Guinea.”
“The stories that are passed down from one
generation to another help preserve PNG’s rich history and culture and continue
to be of great value today.”
Present not only as a guest but also a
contributor to the competition and antology Oro Governor Gary Juffa emphasized
the important of maintaining a writing culture. He maintained that all great
writer gained great insight and creativity through the understanding of their
cultures passed down through generations- advocating the changes and clashes in
society today, Mr Juffa highlighted the need for change in the way cultural knowledge
is to be recorded for future generation.
“History is not only managed by those with
wealth but by those who can write- each and everyday in Papua New Guinea when
someone with a wealth of information passes away it is like a library being
burnt down,” Governor Juffa said.
“Many of our legends and stories that were
held by that particular person are being lost with them.”
“I had the privilege to have grown in a
situation where I spent many hours around the fire place at the feet of my
grandfather and grandmother listening to their stories, their legends, and
learning so much, and I have a profound appreciation of my people who were a
very intelligent and civilized people.”
“I would like to say that we the technology we
have there is a lot opportunity, because as we speak entire cultures with
information that are being lost on a daily basis.”
Phil Fitzpatrick, co-founder of the awards
hailed the 2014 awards as one of the most successful so far. He was impressed
with the quality of raw talent that many of the entries had. He also discovered
the returned of the true PNG English that had emerged in the year’s entries-
something that defined PNG literature during the boom years.
“This year’s (2014) anthology is by far the
most successful we have done so far,” Fitzpatrick said.
“One of the enjoyable aspects in editing the
works is reading each and every one of the entries, and I was amazed at the
quality of the content of work and it uniqueness.”
“The important aspect of PNG literature is the
use of true PNG English, not American nor Australian English, which is an
important factor to some of the country’s greatest works.”
The awards for the 2014 Crocodile Prizes of
Children’s Writing went to Iriana Wanma, Poetry Diddie Kinamun Jackson, Essays
and Journalism Kela Kapkora Sil Bolkin, Book of the Year to Leonard Roka Fong,
Heritage Writing went to Arnold Mundua, Short Stories Agnes Maineke, and
veteran writer Sir Paulias Matane rightly received the Lifetime Contribution to
PNG Literature award.
With the close of the 2014 chapter of awards,
the Crocodile Prize committee has announced entries for the next lot of
aspiring writer in 2015 to submit their interest. The 2015 contest will
offers six awards: Sort Story- A fictional work of no more than 1,000 words on
a theme of interest to a general readership, Essay and Journalism- A factual
essay or article of no more than 1,000 words on a theme of interest to a
general readership, Heritage- A work of no more than 1,000 words on a theme
related to the culture, heritage and traditions of PNG. Poetry- Generally no
more than 500 words on a theme of interest to a general readership, Book
of the Year- A book (fiction or nonfiction) published since 1 July 2014, and
the newest entrant to the awards scene the Tourism, Arts and Culture- An
article or story on a theme related to tourism in PNG, preferably emphasizing
culture or the arts.
In each category,
there is a cash prize of K5,000, a Crocodile trophy, guaranteed publication and
free domestic travel and accommodation to the Awards event at Kundiawa on 18-19
September where the 2015 awards ceremony will be held.
Writers both young
and old took part in this year’s contest- not only to win the prizes, but to
also have the pleasure of being included in the anthology that is compiled that
gets published in the selections process of awards. Despite the calls of many
about a literature culture that has been in hibernation- it seems that with
more support and recognitions, literature in PNG has just stated to awaken from
its slumber.
For more information
or to enter visit www.crocodileprize.org, with entries
closing on June
30, 2015 .
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