Turning the page to the future
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The 2011 SEAWrite awardees receive their prizes at a gala dinner hosted by the Mandarin Oriental
The local and Asian literary community came together recently, as the SEAWrite awardees from each of the Asean member countries celebrated the power of literature at the 2011 SEAWrite Awards presentation ceremony and gala dinner at the Mandarin Oriental’s Royal Ballroom. The event was postponed from November 7 last year due to the flooding.
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn designated Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana to grace the night. The Princess, dressed in a stunning purple gown, was welcomed by organising committee chairman and Bangkok Governor, MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra and the award sponsors, among them Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok’s general manager, Jan D Goessing.
The keynote speaker was Dr Edwin Thumboo, an award-winning Singaporean poet and academic who is regarded as one of the pioneers of English literature in the Lion City. The first recipient of The SEAWrite Award in 1979, Thumboo discussed the “SEAWrite Awards: Expanding Legacies” in his speech.
Attending this prestigious, annual literary event were distinguished members from the diplomatic, literary, academic and social circles as well as guests of the sponsors, Bangkok Bank, Thai Airways International, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Chumbhot-Pantip Foundation, Bank of Thailand, Thai Beverage, The Rex Morgan Foundation, SCG Foundation, and World Travel Service. All enjoyed a lavish three-course dinner especially prepared by the hotel’s Norbert Kostner and superbly matched with the finest Monsoon Valley Wines along with entertainment by the delightful Krungthep Light Orchestra.
