“It is important for the Nobel Prize that the Swedish Academy quickly solves their problems.“

Comment on the postponed Literature Prize by Lars Heikensten, Executive Director of the Nobel Foundation, 4 October 2018:

Photo: Kari Kohvakka

The 2018 Nobel Prize announcements are now ongoing, however this year no Nobel Prize in Literature will be announced. The Swedish Academy has decided to postpone the Literature Prize and the Nobel Foundation supports the decision.

The overall situation is roughly the same as in the spring. The Swedish Academy needs to address their problems and take a number of steps to restore trust. A step in the right direction is that they have updated their statutes with comments. This can form a basis for their continued work.

We are in dialogue with the Swedish Academy and follow what they are doing. We expect that they will deal with the problems that came up almost a year ago. They also need to elect new competent members with integrity. 

The situation is obviously complicated and requires straightforward actions by the members of the Swedish Academy.

It is important for the Nobel Prize that the Swedish Academy quickly solves their problems. If they manage to do that in a way that restores confidence, they will be able to continue to award the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Stockholm 2018-10-04