Nobel Prize

Frank B. Kellogg’s Banquet speech* at the Nobel banquet at Grand Hôtel, Oslo, Norway, December 10, 1930. I have several times been asked by members of the press since I arrived in Oslo to discuss the subject of disarmament. I have received a large number of letters and telegrams making the same request. I have…

English For me, a farm boy from Gaomi’s Northeast Township in far-away China, standing here in this world-famous hall after having received the Nobel Prize in Literature feels like a fairy tale, but of course it is true. My experiences during the months since the announcement have made me aware of the…

Swedish Mo Yans tal på Nobelbanketten 10 December 2012 Ers Majestäter, Ers Kungliga Högheter, mina damer och herrar! Att jag, en bondpojke från Gaomi nordöstra socken i det avlägsna Kina, står här i denna världsberömda sal efter att ha tagit emot Nobelpriset i litteratur…

Wislawa Szymborska delivering her banquet speech, 10 December 1996. Wisława Szymborska’s speech at the Nobel Banquet, December 10, 1996 (in French) Personne n’a de routine de recevoir le Prix Nobel. De même personne n’a de routine d’en exprimer sa reconnaissance. Dans ma langue maternelle, comme dans chaque langue d’ailleurs, il y a beaucoup de mots…

As the Laureate was unable to be present at the Nobel Banquet in Stockholm, December 10, 1903, a telegrem was read by Professor the Count K.A.H. Mörner, Rector of the (in Danish) Köpenhamn d. 10/12 1903 “Herr Rektor Greve Mörner! Jeg beder dem overbringe den højtærede Forsamling min Hilsen og min Beklagelse över ikke at…

Gao Xingjian’s speech at the Nobel Banquet, December 10, 2000 (in French) Vos Majestés, Vos Altesses royales, Mesdames, Messieurs, L’homme qui est devant vous se souvient encore qu’à l’âge de huit ans, sa mère lui avait demandé de tenir un journal. II s’est ainsi consacré à l’écriture jusqu’à l’âge adulte. II se souvient encore qu’à…

(English translation) Majesties, Royal Highness, Ladies and Gentlemen, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed today exactly 50 years ago. There is no lack of ceremonial commemorations. The attention fades, you know. When serious matters emerge the public interest starts to diminish, the next day even. I hold nothing against these…

Kenzaburo Oe’s speech at the Nobel Banquet, December 10, 1994 I am a strange Japanese who spent his infancy and boyhood under the overwhelming influence of Nils Holgersson. So great was Nils’ influence on me that there was a time I could name Sweden’s beautiful locales better than those of my own country. Nils’ ponderous…

Claude Simon’s speech at the Nobel Banquet, December 10, 1985 (in French) Vos Majestés, Vos Altesses Royales, Mesdames, Messieurs, Je n’ai pas le don de parole, et c’est d’ailleurs là une des raisons pour lesquelles j’écris, quoique encore avec beaucoup de difficultés: mon travail absorbe le plus gros de mon énergie, de sorte que l’âge…

William Golding’s speech at the Nobel Banquet, December 10, 1983 Your Majesties, your Royal Highnesses, your Excellencies, Fellow Laureates, Ladies and Gentlemen, I came to Sweden characterized as a pessimist, though I am an optimist. Now something – perhaps the wonderful warmth of your hospitality…