Kalja is happy to present the finalists for micro-fiction from Vanuatu's Literature national writing competition, on the theme of Vanuatu’s diverse cultures, identities, and stories.
1st Place Youth: My Name
1st Place Youth: My Name by Vepaiamele Grace Trief.
I am a proud ni-Vanuatu. I'm from three different islands, four different villages (Wunpuko, North-West Santo; Narango, South Santo; Lotahimamavi, North-East Ambae; Lawa, Malekula).
2nd Place Youth: Lina’s Luganville
2nd Place Youth: Lina’s Luganville by Noah Westra
Noah Westra is an Australian male who grew up in Scotland. He currently lives on Aore and enjoys playing with his dogs, working out and swimming.
3rd Place Youth: Chinese Life
3rd Place Youth: Chinese Life by Taylor Yao
He is a 14-year-old Chinese-ni-Vanuatu boy, and he likes playing pubg and outdoor activities. He goes to Luganville International School and is in grade 8.
Judges’ highly commended: Scary Map
Judges’ higly commended: Scary Map
Mislin Wari is a 17-year-old from Penama and goes to Luganville International School. She loves playing volleyball.
Since time immemorial, our people have gathered to share stories around the nakamal, on the mat, and beneath the stars. That fire still burns.
Today, it glows on the screens of our devices and within the pages of our digital nasara, Kalja. In 2025, that flame was fed by the second Vanuatu National Sot Sot Storian competition, a powerful initiative by the Vanuatu Literature community that called upon writers to explore the very soul of Vanuatu as a nation: culture and identity.
From the many voices that answered that call, two women, carriers of the fire stick for their people, shone with particular brilliance. The Melanesian Women Today Award for Emerging Women’s Voices exists to ensure such lights are not only seen but celebrated. More importantly, it ensures that women continue to carry the fire stick and uphold their role as Keepers of the Flame, honoring storytellers who weave the intimate threads of womanhood, land, and legacy into the grand fabric of our collective narrative.
We are proud to share the work of our 2025 awardees, Sarah Mecartney and Tracy Uvoi Namel. In “Woman Melanesie” and “Mama Kraon, Mi Sori,” you will hear the heartbeat of our present moment. These are not just micro-stories; they are vast worlds captured in a few potent words. We are pleased that Justice Viran Molisa Trief presented these awards. The first ni-Vanuatu woman appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Vanuatu reminds us that every story told is an act of justice, a claiming of space for our truth.
Come, gather closer.
The fire is bright.
Let the voices of Sarah and Tracy carry you.
Their stories are our stories.
