Bermuda’s writing talent recognised
Seven of the island’s authors have been presented with Bermuda Literary Awards.
The 2023 award winners were announced by Owen Darrell, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.
The prizes, given out every five years, were launched by the Bermuda Government in 1999 to showcase the island’s literary achievements.
The sixth literary awards recognised Bermudians who published works between 2018 and 2023.
Mr Darrell said: "Beyond words on paper, celebrating literary artistry is recognising the human capacity to intertwine emotions, ideas and dreams into words that transcend time and culture.
“It is where we discover the profound power to shape minds, ignite imaginations and unite hearts, reminding us that literature is not just an art form but a timeless conversation between the author and the soul of the reader.”
The awardees are:
Cultural Merit:Bermuda in Painted Representation by Jonathan Land Evans
Drama and Screenwriting:Journey of the Shaman by Lucinda Spurling
Children's and Young Adult Fiction:A Dark Iris by Elizabeth J Jones
Dr Eva Hodgson Prize for Non-Fiction:Pauulu's Diaspora: Black Internationalism and Environmental Justice by Quito Swan
Cecile N. Musson Prize for Poetry:The Tipping Line by Paul Maddern, with an honourable mention for Turtlemen by Andra Simons
Brian Burland Prize for Fiction:The Drowned Forest by Angela Barry
The Founder's Award, which is offered for books or scripts published prior to the establishment of the Bermuda Literary Awards, has been awarded posthumously for The History of Mary Prince, related by Bermudian National Hero Mary Prince and published in 1831.
Mr Darrell thanked judges Ellen Hollis, Sajni Tolaram, Carol Marsh-Lockett, Alan Smith, Colin Duerden and Matthew Johnston.
He added: “Your dedication to evaluating the literary submissions has been invaluable, and so have the insights shared about the strengths of the works represented in the 2023 awards."
The minister also thanked Quinceé Kaya Dill and Bella Correia, who treated the awards to an excerpt from The History of Mary Prince and a violin recital.
He said looked forward to the next awards in five years.
“In this time, we anticipate the birth of new masterpieces, the cultivation of fresh talents and the flourishing of creative expression.”
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