The glimmering Blue Hall of the Stockholm City Hall is ready for the Nobel Banquet.

© The Nobel Foundation 1998 Photo: Boo Jonsson

Rows of tables decked with the exclusive Nobel tableware wait for guests to take their seats at the Nobel Banquet.

© The Nobel Foundation 1998 Photo: Boo Jonsson

The table is laid with the special Nobel tableware set, created for the 90th anniversary of the Nobel Prize in 1991 by three Swedish designers, Karin Björquist (Rörstrand/Gustavsberg), Gunnar Cyrén (Orrefors) and Ingrid Dessau (Klässbols Linneväveri).

© The Nobel Foundation 1998 Photo: Boo Jonsson

Inside the Blue Hall: the golden Nobel tableware, lighted candles and intricate flower arrangements.

© The Nobel Foundation 1998 Photo: Hans Pettersson

The guests begin to dine on the specially prepared dinner: marinated artichoke hearts with seafood for a starter, and chicken with thyme and pepper, mushrooms and artichoke sauce for main course.

© Pressens Bild AB 1998, S-112 88 Stockholm, Sweden, telephone: +46 (0)8 738 38 00. Photo: Jan Collsiöö

Dessert is being served, the Nobel ice cream: white chocolate ice cream and sorbet with wild blackberries.

© The Nobel Foundation 1998 Photo: Hans Pettersson

Queen Silvia (right) and Nobel Laureate in Literature José Saramago (left) at the table of honour. (left) at the table of honour.

© FLT-Pica 1998 S-105 17 Stockholm, Sweden, telephone: +46 (0)8 13 52 40. Photo: Claudio Bresciani

José Saramago preparing for his banquet speech at the 1998 Nobel Banquet in Stockholm.. Flag bearers from the different student councils in the background.

© The Nobel Foundation 1998 Photo: Hans Pettersson

Performance by Katarina Dalayman, soprano.

© The Nobel Foundation 1998 Photo: Hans Pettersson