In Flux: Winning Essays
Earlier this year, we invited writers to submit their best creative non-fiction essays responding to our theme “In Flux,” with the aim of providing a space for our community to reflect on what it means to navigate uncertainty in this era of constant change.
The result was a collection of compelling, moving and highly individual essays capturing diverse transformations both within and outside China’s borders that were truly a privilege to read; we’re extremely impressed and so grateful to everyone who submitted for sharing such thoughtful pieces with us!
It’s with great pleasure that we announce the winners of this year’s contest:
1st: “I’ve Got Dumplings to Make” by Ruochan Liu
Judges say: Written in poignant, heartfelt prose, Ruochan Liu’s recollection of making dumplings expands into a consideration of grief in all of its emotional and physical vicissitudes. From people to places and things in between, it is an excellent piece that we found reflective of the ache and yet hope that exists amidst, and in spite of, the inevitability of loss and change.
2nd: “The New Face of the Four Sisters” by Clementine Pippa Ebel
Judges say: This essay is written in vivid prose that transports readers to Sichuan’s breathtaking mountain landscape. The writer’s reflection on China’s rapidly evolving tourist industry and changing natural environment captures a complicated grief; one that comes with the realization that a place that holds meaning for you has changed irrevocably. The piece moves seamlessly between the internal and external, resulting in a provocative meditation on the uneasy coexistence of preservation and progress.
3rd: “Pass Me By” by Yi Min
Judges say: Yi Min’s essay is a mosaic of vivid memories tied together by the central themes of uncertainty and hope. Dynamic in style and format, the piece is an illuminating personal take on the deteriorating US-China relationship in recent years; a nuanced expression of what it means to be both culturally and temporally in flux.
In the coming months, we’ll also be sharing a series of runner-up essays from this contest so stay tuned for more. Congratulations again to all our winners and we hope you enjoy reading these brilliant pieces!
With gratitude,
Your judges
About the judges
Co-chairs: Jessie Lau and Nicole Fan
Panel members: Daisy Singh Greaves, Heather Irvine and Suchita Thepkanjana
Jessie Lau is a London-based feminist writer and journalist covering human rights, politics and culture. Born and raised in Hong Kong, her work has appeared in The Guardian, BBC, Financial Times, CNN, The Economist, Times Literary Supplement, LA Review of Books and many more publications. Founder of New Tide, Britain’s only East and Southeast Asian journalism network, she’s head of NüVoices Magazine and executive editor at Translator, a magazine of translated journalism.
Nicole Fan is digital managing editor at NüVoices. As a writer and researcher, she is interested in how global business and politics shapes everyday culture, especially relating to Asia’s influence abroad. Her writing has appeared in The Economist, The Observer, The Diplomat, Rest of World and other international outlets. She is based in Singapore.
Daisy Singh Greaves is a communications specialist and former social media editor at NüVoices. Currently based in Paris, her experience spans international organisations, non-profits and media, specialising in strategic communications, digital campaigns and public engagement across gender, climate change, international politics and China-related topics.
Heather Irvine is co-editor at NüVoices and a writer interested in art and literature as objects saturated with the potential for cross-cultural understanding. She was born and raised in Hong Kong and aims to emulate the city’s melding of East and West in her writing. Find out more on her website and LinkedIn.
Suchita Thepkanjana is co-editor at NüVoices. She is also Engagement Coordinator at New Tide. She has previously covered politics and culture, among other topics, for The Momentum and The Beaver (the London School of Economics’ student newspaper). Find out more on her Instagram and LinkedIn.
Illustration by Angel Sun