Nobel Prize in Literature
The Nobel Prize in Literature is one of the five Nobel Prizes established by the will of Alfred Nobel, a Swedish inventor, engineer, and industrialist. This prize is awarded annually to an author from any country who, in the words of Nobel's will, has produced "the most outstanding work in an ideal direction" in the field of literature.
History
- Foundation: The prize was first awarded in 1901, following Alfred Nobel's death in 1896. The prize was intended to reward literary works that have contributed to the enhancement of the human spirit.
- First Award: The first recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature was Sully Prudhomme in 1901.
- Evolution: Over time, the criteria for selection have evolved. Initially, the focus was on works that promoted idealism, but now the award considers a broader range of literary contributions, including poetry, novels, essays, and plays.
Selection Process
The selection process for the Nobel Prize in Literature is as follows:
- Nomination: Each year, the Swedish Academy sends out invitations for nominations to individuals who are qualified to nominate. This includes previous Nobel Laureates in Literature, members of the Academy, professors of literature and language at selected universities, and other notable literary figures.
- Evaluation: The nominations are reviewed by the Academy's Nobel Committee, which prepares a report on the leading candidates. This process involves reading the nominated works and seeking expert advice from around the world.
- Decision: The full Swedish Academy then discusses the candidates, and after several rounds of voting, a laureate is selected. This decision is made by majority vote.
Notable Facts
- Controversies: Over the years, the Nobel Prize in Literature has been surrounded by controversies, including political influences, gender imbalances, and the omission of some significant literary figures.
- Language Diversity: While the majority of laureates have written in English, French, German, or Spanish, the prize has been awarded to authors writing in over 20 different languages.
- Posthumous Awards: Until 1974, the prize could be awarded posthumously, but this rule was changed. Since then, only three posthumous awards have been made, the last being in 2019 for Peter Handke.
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