We invite your students to enter the 15th competition of the Hong Kong Young Writers Award!
We are also delighted to announce that the award scheme has gained such popularity, that it now boasts the support of a non-profit organisation, THE YOUTH LITERATURE FOUNDATION. For more information on the foundation please go to https://www.hkywa.com/home3/ylf-new-non-profit/
Year-upon-year, we are continually amazed by the research and thought that goes into each child’s work and I’m positive this year we will continue to see some truly amazing entries.
Once again, the awards are being organised by Playtimes, one of Asia’s leading parenting and lifestyle magazines.
HKYWA 2024 is introducing a new category – Chinese Poetry.
The submissions of this category will not be included in the 10 literary submissions, teachers can submit additional 10 poems in traditional or simplified Chinese according to your school’s language policy.
If you have already registered for the English section of HKYWA 2024 then you don’t need to register again.
The submission instructions remain the same.
The Hong Kong Young Writers Awards (HKYWA) is an annual competition and fantastic opportunity for aspiring writers to showcase their talents and creativity. Our entry categories are in fiction, non-fiction, poetry and cover art.
Over the years, the awards have been sponsored by Search Group, SCAD, Cyberport, Max and Mei, Nury Vittachi, Faber-Castell, Bookazine, International New York Times, Techni Photo, Print Plus, Shamrock Catering, Friday Everyday and Asia Exhibits House
The competition’s main aim is to foster excellence in creativity by providing students with the opportunity to develop their expressive talents and expand their horizons. The awards encourage and recognise excellence in English writing and artwork among students, aged from 6-18, of various age groups, diverse backgrounds and different learning abilities. Since its inception in 2010, the competition has been a resounding success, with over 1,200+ entries coming in from approximately 200 participating schools across Hong Kong, Macau and China in 2023.
All entries should be based on the theme for 2024, New Tales of China’s Inventions. One winner will be chosen in each of the groups, and one lucky student will be named The Hong Kong Young Writer of 2024.
New Tales of China’s Inventions
Most people know that paper and gunpowder were invented in ancient China, but don’t realise that so were many other things we use today, from noodles to ketchup. The Chinese tried out different economic systems and invented the first paper money more than 1000 years ago. The compass was developed over many centuries.
Even more amazing is the fact that 25 centuries ago, they found natural gas and used bamboo to pipe it to villages, creating the sort of energy distribution system most people think of as a modern invention. They also invented toilet paper—although it was several centuries after toilets appeared! And while gunpowder was used for peaceful purposes such as the creation of fireworks, they later developed missiles too.
But Chinese creativity is not just a thing of the past. Video-sharing websites are copying the style of China’s Tiktok, social media platforms are trying to be like WeChat, and China has become the world leader in making solar panels, planting new forests, and creating electric cars.
Will you be inspired to write about Chinese inventors of the past? Or would you prefer to speculate on what new inventions might appear today or in the near future? Let your imagination soar!