The tables in the Blue Hall of the Stockholm City Hall are all set to receive the 1,300 guests. The flower decorations are from Sanremo, Italy, where Alfred Nobel spent his final years.

© The Nobel Foundation 2002. Photo: Hans Mehlin

Table arrangement at the Nobel Banquet. 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 2002. Photo: Hans Mehlin

Queen Silvia of Sweden and the chairman of the Nobel Foundation, Bengt Samuelsson, entering the Blue Hall of the Stockholm City Hall, Sweden for the 2002 Nobel Banquet.

© Pressens Bild AB 2002, S-112 88 Stockholm, Sweden, telephone: +46(0)87383800. Photo: Ola Torkelsson

The first course is served: red beet and goats' milk cheese tartlet with marinated coquille Saint Jacques and Dublin prawns served with truffle vinaigrette.

© The Nobel Foundation 2002. Photo: Hans Mehlin

Swedish venison fillet presented with root vegetables, ratte potatoes, lingonberry chutney and cinnamon au jus was served as main course.

© The Nobel Foundation 2002. Photo: Hans Mehlin

The Nobel dessert: pear terrine composed of vanilla and chocolate crème bavaroise, flavoured with pear aquavit and accompanied by a Champagne- and pearsorbet with caramel sauce.

© The Nobel Foundation 2002. Photo: Hans Mehlin

The heart-shaped balloons are cut off from the serving dishes and dessert is served as the balloons drift up to the ceiling.

© Pressens Bild AB 2002, S-112 88 Stockholm, Sweden, telephone: +46(0)87383800. Photo: Ola Torkelsson

Dessert is being served.

© The Nobel Foundation 2002. Photo: Hans Mehlin

Nobel Laureate in Literature, Imre Kertész, talks with Princess Benedikte of Denmark during the Nobel Banquet in the Stockholm City Hall.

© Pressens Bild AB 2002, S-112 88 Stockholm, Sweden, telephone: +46(0)87383800. Photo: Ola Torkelsson

Princess Madeleine of Sweden and Swedish Prime Minister Göran Persson seated at the table of honor at the 2002 Nobel Banquet in the Stockholm City Hall.

© Pressens Bild AB 2002, S-112 88 Stockholm, Sweden, telephone: +46(0)87383800. Photo: Ola Torkelsson

Students from different Swedish student councils enjoy the Nobel dinner.

© The Nobel Foundation 2002. Photo: Hans Mehlin

Entertainment by Cirkus Cirkör.

© The Nobel Foundation 2002. Photo: Hans Mehlin