(KPL) A Lao senior writer, Mr Houmphanh Rattanavong has won SEAwrite award for 2007 among the ten winners, according to an announcement last Friday at the Ministry of Information and Culture.
Mr Houmphanh’s winning piece, Soud Alay (the Regret), is a collection of poems published in March, 2005.
His poems captured the judges’ attention with their examination of some of the author’s favourite themes, such as the preservation of forests and biodiversity, and issues relating to social justice.
“The prize is of significance to writers and poets because it is an honourable award for social development,” he said. This prize will encourage me to further write about peace and the environment. All round, I think it is great to encourage writers in Southeast Asia to produce more good works.”
In the book, he describes the richness of this country’s forests, which provide for the everyday needs of many communities, from the simple herbs used for medicinal purposes, to the complex food chain involving birds and insects. He also decsribes about the importance of folk knowledge of non-timber forest products when preserving and maintaining forests, rivers and wildlife, and warns of the imminent decline of the country’s rich forests.
More than 20 writers entered the writers’ competition this year, and for each entry, judges took into account composition, the use of language and the work’s social value.
Mr Houmphanh attended the official awards presentation in Bangkok, Thailand, from October 7-13, along with other authors from the ten Asean member countries who have been selected for the same awards.
Source: kpl Photo: vientianetimes
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